Gods Armorbearer

A 40-Day Personal Journey
FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP USE
God’s
Armorbearer
Volumes 1 & 2
T E R RY N A N C E
© Copyright 2006—Terry Nance
All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws
of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or
reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quota-
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permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon
request. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are
from the King James Version of the Bible. Used by permission.
All rights reserved. Scriptures marked NKJV and AMP are taken
from the New King James Version and the Amplified Bible,
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Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ from some publishers’
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Take note that the name satan and related names are not capital-
ized. We choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of vio-
lating grammatical rules.
Text compiled by Jan Sherman.
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CONTENTS
Day 1 Revelation of an Armorbearer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Day 2 Developing the Spirit of an Armorbearer . . . . . . . . 9
Day 3 Duties of an Armorbearer—Part 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Day 7 Function of an Armorbearer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Day 8 Armorbearers of the Old Testament . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Day 9 Two Different Armorbearers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Day 10 The Ministry of Armorbearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Day 11 Faithful Armorbearing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Day 12 The Service of an Armorbearer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Day 13 The Cry of God’s Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Day 14 Send Me a Joshua!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Day 15 Steps to Develop the Spirit of an Armorbearer . . 61
Day 16 Fields White Unto Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Day 17 The Anointing of an Armorbearer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Day 18 Recognizing the Human Side of Leaders . . . . . . . 73
Day 19 Recognizing the Right of Divine Authority . . . . . 77
Day 20 Giving Birth to God’s Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Day 21 Understanding Our Assignment and
Appreciating Our Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Day 22 The Hour of the Local Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Day 23 Armorbearers Are Vital for Churches . . . . . . . . . . 93
Day 24 Successful Keys to Blooming
Where You Are Planted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Day 25 Keys to Longevity—Understanding
the Call of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Day 26 Keys to Longevity—Those Who
Seek God Will Follow a Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Day 27 Keys to Longevity—Stay Where God Puts You . 109
Day 28 Keys to Longevity—Trust and Obey. . . . . . . . . . 113
Day 29 Keys to Longevity—Patience and Flexibility . . . 117
Day 30 Keys to Commitment—Loyalty
and Faithfulness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Day 31 Keys to Commitment—Do Not
Be Too Big or Too Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Day 32 Keys to Commitment—Always Do Your Best. . . 129
Day 33 Keys to Attitude—Willingness and Thankfulness 133
Day 34 Keys to Attitude—A Servant’s Heart . . . . . . . . . 137
Day 35 Keys to Attitude—Understanding Authority . . . 141
Day 36 Keys to Attitude—Five Structures of Authority . 145
Day 37 Keys to Attitude—Reproof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Day 38 Keys to Teamwork—Walking Without
Offense and Use Your Talents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Day 39 Keys to Teamwork—You Are
Important and Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Day 40 Keys to Teamwork—Run With the Vision. . . . . . 161
D AY 1
Revelation of an Armorbearer
A ND DAVID CAME TO SAUL, AND STOOD

BEFORE HIM: AND HE LOVED HIM GREATLY;
AND HE BECAME HIS ARMOURBEARER (1 SAMUEL
16:21).
5
T O DAY ’ S D E VO T I O N
W
e live in a world that seems to know very little about
laying down one’s life for another. A full understand-
ing of this concept is vital to the Christian, especially
if he knows he has been called into the ministry.
Instead of offering ourselves to wait on others, we in the
Church often expect them to wait on us. This is particularly true
of our attitude toward the man or woman of God. …
[Also,] there is a great fear today among many pastors that
their associates are out to steal the sheep from them. As a result,
there is little or no trust between the pastor and his assistant, no
flow between the two of them. I believe God has someone pre-
pared for every pastor…someone to stand with him in the min-
istry.
I see today great ministries which are built around one per-
son. What will happen when he is gone? It is of no credit to a
pastor, or any man of God, to know that when he leaves town the
sheep cannot function….
Where would we be today if Jesus had not put a portion of
Himself into the twelve disciples? What would have happened
if…there had been no one…to take up His ministry on earth?
…Jesus’ ministry increased and multiplied. That’s because
there were armorbearers standing with Him.
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 11-13.)
6
QUESTIONS
1. What does “laying down one’s life for another” mean to you? Why
is a full understanding of this concept vital to Christians? Why is it
especially vital if we are called into ministry?
2. Why do you think so many in the Church expect the leaders to

serve them, rather than having a heart to serve the leaders? What
does this kind of attitude reveal about the hearts of many in
churches today? Do you see this attitude prevalent in your church?
3. Have you seen fear between the pastor and those who serve in high
positions of leadership under them? Have you personally experi-
enced the outcropping of such fear? What do you think is at the
root of such distrust?
4. Have you seen a ministry built around one person die after that
person left? Why do you suppose the mantle was not picked up by
another? Why couldn’t people accept a new leader and just con-
tinue on in the ministry?
5. As you study Jesus’ example of discipleship training, where do pas-

tors tend to fail or find it difficult to train their leaders? Where do
the leaders they train seem to fail? How has your attitude been
toward others you have served? Have you been trustworthy?
7
M E D I TAT I O N
“You and I will never flow in the anointing
of Elisha until we have learned to serve an Elijah.
It is not difficult to claim that we are submitted
to Jesus, but the question is: are we submitted to
another human being? That is a different story.”
(God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Page 12)
Submission is a word that can bring feelings

of pain or fear, or it can bring feelings of release.
What feelings does this word bring to your heart?
Take time to ask the Lord to bring release
through submission in your life.
8
D AY 2
Developing the Spirit

of an Armorbearer
G REATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS,

THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS
FRIENDS (JOHN 15:13).
9
T he word armorbearer [appears] eighteen times in…the

Old Testament. …
…the King James word armourbearer was translated from two
Hebrew words. The first is nasa or nacah (naw-saw´). This is a
primary word meaning “to lift.” … Some of [its] applications are
to: accept, advance, bear, bear up. carry away, cast, desire, furnish,
further, give, help, hold up, lift, pardon, raise, regard, respect, stir
up, yield.
The second Hebrew word is keliy (kel-ee´), which comes
from the root word kalah (kaw-law´), meaning “to end.” Some of
the applications of this root word are to: complete, consume,
destroy utterly, be done, finish, fulfill, long, bring to pass, wholly
reap, make clean riddance.
From these two Hebrew words, we can see the duty of the
armorbearer was to stand beside his leader to assist him, to lift
him up, and to protect him against any enemy that might attack
him.…
[The concept of the armorbearer] will help anyone who is a
part of the Body of Christ, anyone who desires to fulfill his or
her God-given call. …You will never arrive at a place where you
do not have to submit to anyone. The spirit of the armorbearer is
the spirit of Christ. It is the heart of a servant.
10
QUESTIONS
1. To whom have you been an armorbearer? List names of people you
have served in ministry. To whom are you currently an armor-
bearer? How easy has it been to serve another? Are some people
easier to serve than others? Why is this possible?
2. Looking at the first Hebrew word translated armorbearer, nasa,

take time to examine each application listed above. Rate yourself
according to each one, honestly examining your own ability to
apply the spirit of an armorbearer to your ministry. Where are you
weakest? Where are you strongest? Where would you like to grow
more?
3. Do the same for the second Hebrew word translated armorbearer,

keliy. Take time to examine each application listed above. Rate
yourself according to each one, honestly examining your own abil-
ity to apply the spirit of an armorbearer to your ministry. Where
are you weakest? Where are you strongest? Where would you like
to grow more?
4. When can assisting a leader be difficult to do? Does this have to do

with the tasks asked of the armorbearer? Does it have to do with
any baggage these requests may carry with them? Is it easy for you
to lift up another, even when they have treated you unfairly? How
can we lift up others without being “false” in such situations?
5. How do leaders need protected against enemies? How do we know

who their enemies are? Do we need the spirit of discernment to
determine which people are for or against our leaders?
11
M E D I TAT I O N
“Like everyone…I too have to deal with the
temptation to get into strife, to refuse to submit
in some areas of life. But the Lord has given me grace
and I have learned to call upon Him and to trust Him
completely to direct my steps.You too can be set
free from rebellion, strife and contention when
you develop the spirit of an armorbearer.”
(God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 14-15)
Think back to times of ministry when rebellion

knocked at the door of your heart. Look back
at times when strife and contention were a part
of relationships around you in the ministry.Take time
to ask the Lord to heal you from any wounds that
may have been caused at these times. Ask Him
to forgive you for any sins you may have committed
in reaction to others. Release those leaders from any
anger or bitterness your heart harbors toward them.
Ask the Lord to give you the spirit of an armorbearer.
12
D AY 3
Duties of an
Armorbearer—Part 1
L ET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE

HIGHER POWERS. FOR THERE IS NO POWER
BUT OF GOD: THE POWERS THAT BE ARE ORDAINED
OF GOD. WHOSOEVER THEREFORE RESISTETH
THE POWER, RESISTETH THE ORDINANCE OF
GOD: AND THEY THAT RESIST SHALL RECEIVE TO
THEMSELVES DAMNATION (ROMANS 13:1-2).
13
T
he main function of one who is designated as an armor-
bearer is that of service…. Let’s look at some of the dif-
ferent forms this service takes.
An armorbearer…
1. Must provide strength for his leader. By his very presence, a
true armorbearer will always display and produce an
attitude of faith and peace.…
2. Must have a deep-down sense of respect for his leader, and
acceptance for, and tolerance of, his leader’s personality and
his way of doing things. God made us all different. At
least fifty percent of the time, your pastor’s way of doing
things will differ from yours. That difference should not
be allowed to cause a problem [between you].…
3. Must instinctively understand his leader’s thoughts.
…Remember, the disciples…did not begin to think as
He thought until after He had died, been buried and
resurrected, ascended into heaven and sent the Holy
Ghost. Just as God’s Spirit was eventually imparted to
these men, after a period of time your pastor’s spirit will
come upon you, and you two will become like-minded.
4. Must walk in agreement with and submission to his leader.
…We must not look at the person, but at the office he
occupies. …We obey, not the individual himself, but
God’s authority in him.
14
QUESTIONS
1. In what ways do you think an armorbearer can provide strength
for his leader? In what practical ways can this strength be demon-
strated? How well do you strengthen those who are in authority
over you?
2. How easy is it for you to display and produce an attitude of faith

and peace? Do you allow circumstances to dictate whether these
are functioning in your life? What are things that could trigger a
negative response from you? How do you safeguard against these?
3. Is it easy for you to develop a sense of respect for leaders when

they have different personality “quirks” or ways of doing things
that you would not choose? Why do so many of us want to change
the leaders to suit our personalities? How are you able to not just
accept the difference between you and leaders above you, but
adjust so that you can allow them the freedom to function in their
own personalities?
4. Have you ever walked closely with someone in ministry so that you
could instinctively know their thoughts? How does this transfer
happen? When your thoughts differ from your leaders’ thoughts,
why is it good to get feedback as to why and how they think the
way they do?
5. How do people “walk in agreement” with one another? What does

this mean? How can you tell whether this is happening or not?
How difficult is it for you to separate the person from the office he
holds? Why do we need to focus on the authority God has given
them and not their human weaknesses?
15
M E D I TAT I O N
“Most Christians do not understand the true
meaning of submission to authority.The Bible teaches
that all authority has been instituted by God
Himself, so to refuse to submit to God’s delegated
authority is to refuse to submit to God.”
Do you agree with this, not just in principle,

but in practice? Take time to ask the Lord
to give you a greater perspective of how
submission works, and ask Him to show you
where you need to submit to a higher degree.
16
D AY 4
Duties of an
F OR WHAT GLORY IS IT, IF, WHEN YE BE BUF-

FETED FOR YOUR FAULTS, YE SHALL TAKE IT
PATIENTLY?BUT IF, WHEN YE DO WELL, AND SUF-
FER FOR IT, YE TAKE IT PATIENTLY, THIS IS
ACCEPTABLE WITH GOD (1 PETER 2:20).
17
W
e are continuing to examine the function of one who is
designated as an armorbearer…. Let’s look at some of
the different forms this service takes.
An armorbearer…
5. Must make the advancement of his leader his most important
goal. …[God] said to me: “Son, you are not to live for
the fulfillment of your dreams or vision. Set it as your
goal to achieve your pastor’s dreams, and I will make
sure that yours are fulfilled.”…
6. Must possess endless strength so as to thrust, press and force
his way onward without giving way under harsh treatment.
…There will be times…when you and I will feel that we
are being wrongfully treated. These types of situations
are bound to arise, but do not allow satan to put resent-
ment into your heart. Learn to give the situation over to
the Lord and endure what comes patiently….
7. Must follow orders immediately and correctly. In order to
be a good leader, one must be a good follower.And being
a good follower means taking care of things quickly and
efficiently.…
8. Must be a support to his leader. Every pastor needs a
group of faithful supporters…. The word supporter
means “that which supports or upholds; a sustainer; a
comforter; a maintainer; a defender.”
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 17, 20-23.)
18
QUESTIONS
1. Why are we to make the advancement of our leader our most
important goal of ministry? How can we help in the advancement
of the leaders over us? How have you helped advance your leaders’
dreams? Have you seen your own dreams fulfilled even when you
have focused on the dreams of those who are over you?
2. “Endless strength” sounds impossible. How does anyone gain this

kind of strength? What is the source for strength of this nature?
How can it be maintained?
3. Do you always have forward motion in your ministry? Do you

always press and force your way onward in spite of circumstances
and misunderstandings? Have you ever let harsh words or bad
treatment cripple your forward progress? How can we “keep on
keeping on” when we face tough situations?
4. What can make following orders immediately difficult for us? Do

you remember any excuses people gave Jesus for not following
Him immediately when He asked them to do so? (See Matthew 8.)
What can hinder us from following orders correctly? Do you listen
well so that you are sure to obtain all information necessary when
your leader gives you a task? Do you ask the questions necessary to
discover anything that you might not understand or that you
might assume incorrectly?
5. Who are the chief supporters of your pastor? Do others see you as
a person who upholds or sustains your leader? Do people easily
recognize you as someone who defends and maintains what your
pastor says? Consider asking some people to give you their feed-
back as to how well you are doing this.
19
M E D I TAT I O N
“The easy thing to do is quit, saying, ‘Well,
no one around here appreciates me; I was rebuked
and I know I was right in what I did.’ Do not give
in to the flesh. Get in prayer and stay there until
1 Peter 2:20 has become a part of your very being.”
Have you felt unappreciated in the area of ministry

where you have served? Have you been rebuked unjustly?
What have your reactions been? Repent from
any sinful attitudes you have had toward those
who maligned you, and ask the Lord to put 1 Peter
2:20 into your spirit for the next trial that will come.
20
D AY 5
Duties of an
F OR THERE IS NOTHING HID, WHICH SHALL

NOT BE MANIFESTED; NEITHER WAS ANY
THING KEPT SECRET, BUT THAT IT SHOULD
COME ABROAD (MARK 4:22).
21
W
e are continuing to examine the function of one who is
designated as an armorbearer….Let’s look at some of
the different forms this service takes.
An armorbearer…
9. Must be an excellent communicator. Communication is
more important than anything I know of in establishing
a relationship with a leader. It is the only way to build
trust between the pastor and his associates. This does
not mean that you are to bother your pastor with every
issue or decision that comes up; just that you should let
him be aware of what is going on in the church and
among the people.…
10. Must have a disposition that will eagerly gain victories
for his leader. …David was a great warrior, but he
declared that it wasn’t his boldness, assurance or
strength that made him great; rather, it was God’s gen-
tleness. This is the character trait that will gain victories
for the leader and the one who serves him as armor-
bearer.
11. Armed with this attitude, you will represent your leader
well and gain much favor. Always remember that as an
associate or assistant, wherever you go and whatever you
do, you represent your pastor. You do not want to do
anything to bring a reproach to him or the church you
both serve.
22
QUESTIONS
1. Why does an armorbearer need to communicate well? How well do
you communicate? Do you find certain leaders to be easier to com-
municate with than others? Have you studied your current leader’s
communication needs and then adapted in order to make your
communication match those needs?
2. Do you know which issues to bring to your leader and which you
are to solve or address yourself? If yes, make sure your leader
agrees with your choices on both levels. If no, spend some time
praying about the dividing line and ask help from your leader to
determine what you are to bring to the table and what you should
handle yourself.
3. What kind of a disposition easily gains victories for leaders? How

does eagerness portray faith? How aggressive and eager are you to
see victories come to your leader? Are you tenacious in prayer and
service in order to see these achieved?
4. How does gentleness play a part in winning victories? What have

you found gentleness to do for those who are antagonistic or upset
about something? How does gentleness gain favor among those
whom you speak to on behalf of your leader? How does it gain
favor with your pastor or leader?
5. How well do you represent your leader to others in the ministry

around you? How do you handle someone who has a problem with
the pastor in some way? How do you handle someone who believes
the pastor should pay more attention to him or her? How do you
handle someone who has a legitimate issue with something the
leader did wrong?
23
M E D I TAT I O N
“I encourage you to trust God every day for a spirit
of humility, meekness, forgiveness, purity and a clear
conscience.These virtues will keep a guard around you,
and then what an asset you will be to the ministry.”
Using five cards or memo papers, write the

name of one spirit on each paper. Choose a
different character trait each day this week
and pray that it is worked into your spirit.
24
D AY 6
Duties of an
L ET US GO UP AT ONCE, AND POSSESS IT; FOR

WE ARE WELL ABLE TO OVERCOME IT
(NUMBERS 13:30).
25
T
he main function of one who is designated as an armor-
bearer is that of service; he is to help and assist another.
Let’s look at [the last form] this service takes.
An armorbearer…
12. Must have the ability to minister strength and courage to his
leader. In order to minister strength and courage, an
armorbearer must possess an endless fountain of these
virtues himself. The word courage means “bravery; the
ability to encounter difficulties and danger with firm-
ness, boldness and valor.”…
13. …when the children of Israel were told to go into the
Promised Land…(Numbers 13)…they sent twelve spies
into the land who came back and reported on what they
had seen there. Only two of the twelve had the courage
to say,“Let’s go up and take it, for we are well able to do
so.”…
Whenever God speaks to your Moses, then be like Joshua
and Caleb, the two strong courageous spies. Stand up in faith
and courage and go forth to take the land—no matter how big
the task may be.…
[But be on your guard—satan will try to deceive you. One
deception] is the false idea that the pastor is more concerned
with fulfilling his own personal vision than he is with meeting
the needs of his associates and staff members.…
Remember…the vision of the church you are called to serve
is God’s vision, and if He did not think you could fit in with it,
He would never have placed you in that ministry….

26
QUESTIONS
1. How endless is your fountain of strength and courage? Do you
find that these two grow when you have met tests successfully and
move forward? In what specific ways can you minister strength
and courage to your leader?
2. Do you rally in the face of danger? Do you cower during diffi-

culty? How can you be an armorbearer with firmness, boldness,
and valor?
3. If you had been among the spies Moses sent out to Canaan, would
you have been among the ten who became overwhelmed at the
odds, or would you have stood with Joshua and Caleb? As you
examine your answer honestly, what gives you courage to take on
big tasks?
4. Has satan tried to deceive you as you serve the leader over you? In
what ways can satan bring deception and temptation to those who
are not in command? How can pride enter into these feelings?
How are we able to overcome deception and temptation?
5. Is your pastor consumed with the vision God has given him for
your church? Why is it easy for people to forget that the pastor
didn’t personally create the vision or agenda he is following? If we
recognize the Author of the vision, does it make it easier for us to
allow the pastor to run toward it, even if he neglects other things to
maintain his top priorities? Why or why not?
27
M E D I TAT I O N
“Courage comes from faith in God. In order
to minister the same assurance your pastor has,
you must stay built up in the Word of God.
This edification comes only by putting the Word first.”
Think about how courage and faith are bound together.

How does your time in the Word affect both?
Let God speak to you about how your
time in His Word affects your faith.

28
D AY 7
Function of an Armorbearer
L IKEWISE, YE YOUNGER, SUBMIT YOURSELVES

UNTO THE ELDER…(1 PETER 5:5).
29
L
et’s look at some other functions of the armorbearer in
order to get a better understanding of the loyalty and atti-
tude of heart which must be developed to fulfill this
divine calling.
The true armorbearer:
• Awakens and arouses his leader, helping him to stand
against all foes.
• Carries and handles his leader’s weapons resourcefully.
• Moves quickly alongside his leader through the thick of
battle as a forceful escort who never falls behind.
• …Keeps one eye on the leader at all times and the other
eye trained on the enemy, anticipating the actions of both.
…a biblical armorbearer was much more than just a hired hand.
An armorbearer was a person who undoubtedly spent many
years, if not his entire life, in his officer’s service. Only in this
manner could he come to know and understand his officer.
Servant, bodyguard, friend, companion, butler, cook and
confidant are just some of the many roles the armorbearer filled
in the life of his officer. His list of duties was interminable. The
position of armorbearer is one which requires great honor, love,
tolerance and watchfulness. Unquestioning obedience was
absolutely necessary, although after a few years of service the
faithful armorbearer probably did not need to be told what his
officer thought, desired or required. He knew him as he knew
himself.
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 28-29, 31-32.)

30
QUESTIONS
1. Look at the four functions of an armorbearer listed. Though these
are but a few of the functions, rate yourself in each area as to how
well you perform as an armorbearer for your leader. Are these easy
for you to do, or difficult? Are there presently some special chal-
lenges that you must overcome?
2. What is a “hired hand” mentality versus one that represents the

attitude of an armorbearer? How does lifelong loyalty demonstrate
the attitude of an armorbearer? In this world of changes and mul-
tiple options on every level of life, why would it be rare to see
someone remain loyal to a leader for life? Why does it take a life-
time to really know someone who leads you?
3. How good of a servant are you to your leader? How would you
know if you do well serving him? How do you rank as a body-
guard to your leader? What kinds of things might you do as a
bodyguard, which would be appropriate in your position? Are you
a friend to your leader? Do you hear and see things and keep them
confidential?
4. The requirement of love toward a leader is measured by the stan-

dards of 1 Corinthians 13. Read this passage and soberly deter-
mine how well you love your leader. How do you honor your
leader? Do you do so only when you think he “deserves” it?
5. Do you find that you must be told to do each task your leader
needs done, or do you initiate service and can correctly assume
what he or she desires? How well do you know how your leader
thinks? How well do you know your leader’s desires?
31
M E D I TAT I O N
“Dedication and devotion unto death was the
order of each day for the biblical armorbearer.”
Consider what the words “dedication” and “devotion”

mean to you. Has anyone ever been dedicated or devoted
to you? What made you know that this person had this
type of heart toward you? Have you ever been dedicated
and devoted toward someone else? How did you
demonstrate this devotion? Do you need to increase
your dedication and devotion toward your current leader?
32
D AY 8
Armorbearers of
the Old Testament
D RAW THY SWORD, AND THRUST ME

THOUGH THEREWITH; LEST THESE UNCIR-
CUMCISED COME AND THRUST ME THROUGH,
AND ABUSE ME. BUT HIS ARMOURBEARER
WOULD NOT; FOR HE WAS SORE AFRAID…(1
SAMUEL 31:4).
33
A good example of the loyalty of an armorbearer is found in

the story of the death of Abimelech. (Judges 9:45-55.)…
Even though Abimelech was wicked, the loyalty of his
armorbearer is obvious. He was the closest person to the king
when [a woman threw a stone which] struck him on the head. He
was just as concerned about Abimelech’s tainted honor as Abim-
elech was himself. He did not want it said that his officer had
been killed by a woman. His instant obedience is…recorded:
“…And his young man thrust him through, and he died (v. 54).
[Another example is found in 1 Samuel 31.] …Saul’s army,
realizing that defeat was imminent, turned to flee. His men,
including his sons, were killed and Saul was wounded by arrows.
[Through the fighting, Saul’s armorbearer had managed to stay
alongside his leader.] Saul wanted to die at the hands of his
armorbearer rather than be captured and tortured by the enemy.
However, his armorbearer would not oblige him.…
This man had spent all his time in Saul’s service, caring for
and protecting him. His entire reason for being was the preserva-
tion of the life of the king. If there was even the slightest chance
that Saul could be saved from destruction, then he had to take
that chance, regardless of the odds against its success.
34
QUESTIONS
1. Reflect on Abimelech’s armorbearer. Perhaps a millstone would
not be likely to fall on your leader; but physical, emotional, or spir-
itual “millstones” can be just as deadly. Would you know what to do
if one fell on your leader? Would you be available to be obedient
immediately when asked? Though you would not be asked to kill
your leader, would you know how to keep his or her honor before
others?
2. Considering Saul’s armorbearer, would you be able to stay by your

leader’s side during a heavy battle? Your battle may be in the phys-
ical realm through sickness or in the emotional realm with trying
relationships or situations. It may be in the spiritual realm with
others in the Body of Christ.Take some time to pray for wisdom as
to what your leader’s current battle is and how you can dodge the
arrows and stay alive alongside him.
3. Knowing others have died in battle alongside your leader, would

you be able to maintain your courage and continue through a long
fight? If you see some of your leader’s assistants leave the ministry,
do you think that some of them may have been wounded in the
battle that persists? What might these wounds look like? How can
you avoid the same wounds that others may have received?
4. Saul’s armorbearer saw hope in the midst of a situation where his

leader saw no hope. What might you do if presented with the same
situation? How might you encourage your leader to press through
the final throes of a battle? How might you increase the odds in
your leader’s favor?
5. As you look at the responses of the armorbearers, think about the

position you currently are filling under your leader. Comparing the
two armorbearers in this study, who do you relate to the most? Why?
35
M E D I TAT I O N
“The armorbearer could be trusted to choose and
select for his officer because he knew how his
commander thought and what he liked and needed.”
Do you feel pressure when asked to make

choices and selections for your leader? Do you know
how your leader thinks and what he or she likes? Do
you know your leader’s needs? Take time to consider
what you know and what you need to know.
36
D AY 9
Two Different Armorbearers
D O ALL THAT IS IN YOUR HEART.

HERE
YOUR HEART
I
GO THEN;
AM WITH YOU, ACCORDING TO
(1 SAMUEL 14:7 NKJV).
37
I n 1 Samuel 14:1-23 [we see the] relationship between

[Jonathan] and his armorbearer. …
As they approached the enemy, Jonathan’s armorbearer
knew his place. He was to come after Jonathan.
In verse 13 we see that it was the anointing upon Jonathan,
the anointing of a leader, that caused the enemy to fall. The
young armorbearer was diligent to follow along after his officer,
destroying the enemy who had been knocked to the ground by
God’s anointing upon his leader….
This is a classic example of the humility and diligence of a
biblical armorbearer. He is one who wins victories and slays ene-
mies while his leader gets the glory…one who trusts his officer,
even in what may appear to be a whim…one who takes his place
behind the man he serves, not striving to get out in front.…
[Another example is David, whom Saul had made his
armorbearer.] …In 1 Samuel 16:18 we see that [David] was
described as:
1. Skillful in playing.
2. A mighty man of valor.
3. A man of war.
4. Prudent in speech.
5. Handsome in appearance.
6. One whom the Lord was with.
…Perhaps the fact that David had once been Saul’s armor-
bearer further explains his attitude when he later declared that
he would not touch “the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Sam. 26:9.)

38
QUESTIONS
1. Read 1 Samuel 14:1-23 and reflect on the relationship Jonathan
had with his armorbearer. Make some notations as to how the
armorbearer showed his loyalty, his submission, and his follow-up
abilities. Do you possess these traits? What do you need to
improve?
2. How easy is it for you to allow your leader to receive the glory, even
though you might “do all the work”? Do you see your leader’s
glory as one and the same with yours? Why or why not?
3. How easy is it for you to trust your leader? Do you ever see your
leader do things that seem like whims to you? How do you
respond to these circumstances? How does God expect us to
respond?
4. Look at the list of six traits David possessed as Saul’s armorbearer.

Do you see yourself ranking high in each of these? How is each
one important regarding your role as armorbearer to your leader?
5. Just as David learned lessons while he was armorbearer that

affected the rest of his life, what lessons have you learned? Are you
able to transfer the character development tools that God has pro-
vided, to other areas of your life?
39
M E D I TAT I O N
“David was a true armorbearer, one who held no grudges but
who faithfully and obediently withstood his captain’s harsh
treatment.The result was his own eventual promotion to a
place of high respect and honor.”
Consider the harsh treatment Saul gave to David. Has your

leader ever thrown “spears” at you? Have you ever been ban-
ished from ministry? Have you ever lost your job as armor-
bearer? Has any leader ever hunted you down and tried to
kill you? How could David maintain his humility before
Saul? How can you maintain yours with your leader?
40
D AY 10
The Ministry of Armorbearing
H UMBLE YOURSELVES THEREFORE UNDER

THE MIGHTY HAND OF
MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME
GOD, THAT HE
(1 PETER 5:6).
41
G
od has established a certain order of priorities. Both the
armorbearer and the person he is serving should follow
these priorities, if they are to live faithful Christian lives.
In descending order of importance, these priorities are:
1. Relationship with God.
2. Relationship with spouse.
3. Relationship with children.
4. Employment or work.
One of the main differences between armorbearing in the
Old Testament and in the New Testament is the fact that in Old
Testament days the duty of an armorbearer was priority number
one. In the New Testament, armorbearing is priority number
four. This doesn’t mean that today’s armorbearer is to take less
than necessary care of his responsibility. His position is a God-
given one, and he must be a good steward of that duty. Although
the physical roles may have changed, the attitude of the heart
must be the same.
The position of armorbearer is not likely to be one to which
God would call a person for only a short period of time; rather, it
remains a position of devotion and heartfelt loyalty.…
As armorbearers we must prove ourselves faithful where
God has “planted” us. Let God exalt and promote you where you
are. If you will be diligent, faithful, humble and motivated by the
heart of a servant, you will find the principles of God’s Word
working for you.

42
QUESTIONS
1. How do you feel about the four priorities the author gives us? If
you are a full-time employee at a secular position but serve as a
volunteer armorbearer, does this change any priorities? How will
your choices be affected when the responsibilities of any of these
relationships conflict?
2. Do you think it is difficult to keep the attitude of heart that being

an armorbearer demands when it is priority number four and not
number one? What does it mean to be a good steward of the posi-
tion of armorbearer? How is stewardship of the duties of armor-
bearer maintained?
3. What are some ways devotion toward someone is demonstrated?

Consider your answer and determine if you are showing devo-
tion to your leader in these ways. How is heartfelt loyalty demon-
strated when times are good? How is it demonstrated when times
are difficult?
4. How do we “prove ourselves faithful”? Who determines that we

have proven ourselves? Our leader, our peers, those under our
supervision, God, or…? When you give up using a gift that you
have been graced with in order to serve a leader, how do God’s
principles work on your behalf?
5. Where has God “planted” you? If He has planted you, will He

change His mind and uproot you to somewhere else? How will you
be able to tell if He does want to move you? At these times, will
there always be negative circumstances, or will negative circum-
stances cloud one’s judgment in such times of decision?
43
M E D I TAT I O N
“If a person feels that the only reason God
has him where he is now is so he can be promoted
to ‘something bigger and better,’ then it’s sad to say
but that individual is operating in the world’s system.
This type of individual says, ‘Whoever offers me
the most money or authority gets my services.’ ”
Where do your ambitions lie? If you are an

armorbearer, have you placed your service to your
leader above your own personal desires? Are you
walking with your leader for the long haul, or is
this a temporary situation until something better
comes along? What should your ambitions be?
44
D AY 11
Faithful Armorbearing
B E NOT FORWARD
BOASTFULLY
[SELF-ASSERTIVE AND
AMBITIOUS] IN THE PRESENCE
OF THE KING, AND STAND NOT IN THE PLACE OF
GREAT MEN; FOR BETTER IT IS THAT IT BE SAID
TO YOU, COME UP HERE, THAN THAT YOU
SHOULD BE PUT LOWER IN THE PRESENCE OF
THE PRINCE WHOSE EYES HAVE SEEN YOU
(PROVERBS 25:6-7 AMP).
45
O
ne day Jesus…told me that He was simply asking me to
do the same thing He had done on the earth. Jesus ful-
filled His Father’s desire, and not His own. He is not ask-
ing you and me to do anything He Himself has not already
done.…
…As an armorbearer, you have a called ministry to serve a
general of God’s army. The Old Testament suggests a very close
physical relationship between the officer and his armorbearer.
This may be the case in the New Testament, but such a close per-
sonal relationship is not necessary to successfully carry out the
responsibility of the armorbearer.…I am not called to be my
pastor’s best friend. We are friends, but that is not our primary
relationship.
We should never assume a personal right to know or be a
part of our officer’s family or private life.…
…The armorbearer’s main purpose is to pull down satan’s
strongholds for his pastor, church and city. Do not get your feel-
ings hurt if you are not asked to have dinner with the pastor
every Friday night. Your goal is not to get next to the pastor, but
to get next to Jesus and to do battle in the Spirit.
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 46-47, 49.)

46
QUESTIONS
1. Just as Jesus fulfilled His Father’s desires, how has He shown us
how to fulfill our leader’s desires? Did Jesus ever struggle with
what the Father wanted Him to do? How did Jesus maintain the
strength to fulfill His Father’s desires? How do you see Jesus’
example bearing on your own position as armorbearer?
2. What do you think would characterize the relationship between an

army officer and his armorbearer or military aide? How does this
picture give you clues as to how you should conduct your relation-
ship with your leader? What should the physical relationship be?
Emotional relationship? Spiritual relationship?
3. Should armorbearers and their leaders ever be best friends? Why

or why not? What kind of friendship should they have? What indi-
cators would you find in a healthy relationship between a leader
and his armorbearer?
4. What kind of relationship do you have with your leader? How is

your friendship? Do you desire more? Do you ever find yourself
wanting to become your leader’s best friend? Have you ever found
yourself invading your leader’s private life in any way?
5. If our main purpose as armorbearers is to pull down satan’s strong-

holds for our leader, the church and our city, how do we remain
focused on this in the midst of busy activity and never-ending min-
istry challenges? If our goal is to get next to Jesus and not the pas-
tor, how do we do this so that we can do battle in the Spirit?
47
M E D I TAT I O N
“I want to encourage you to remain faithful,
no matter what pressure you may be facing. I will
honestly admit that there have been times when
I have wanted to throw in the towel and say
to God, ‘This is too hard; this is not fair.’ ”
Have you ever felt like this? What brings us

to the place of despair? What can pull us out?
Are there ways to prevent these times? Do you
feel you are entitled to fairness at all times?
48
D AY 12
The Service of an Armorbearer
A ND THOSE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, WHICH

WE THINK TO BE LESS HONOURABLE, UPON
THESE WE BESTOW MORE ABUNDANT HONOUR;
AND OUR UNCOMELY PARTS HAVE MORE ABUN-
DANT COMELINESS (1 CORINTHIANS 12:23).
49
I
n the Old Testament, the armorbearer’s main function was
directly related to combat. This has not changed at all
between the Old and New Testaments. What has changed
greatly is the type of combat in which the New Testament
armorbearer is to engage as he serves his officer:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,but against prin-
cipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places
(Ephesians 6:12).…
We can see that the most important part of the armor-
bearer’s duties lies in the spirit realm.Armorbearing is a ministry
of prayer, watchfulness, and intercession. …All the physical tasks
of an Old Testament armorbearer apply today, in the spirit.…
A true armorbearer:
• Strives to keep his godly priorities in line.
• Resists seeking to know his leader after the flesh.
• Remains always humble, with fear and trembling, in sin-
cerity of heart, doing what is pleasing to Christ….
• Serves his leader well, expecting no reward from man, but
knowing that Jesus will reward him one day for his efforts
and loyalty.
• Aids his leader in spiritual combat.
• Ministers strength to his leader in the spirit.
• Helps his leader to stand against the wiles of the devil.
• Knows how to deal with spiritual forces.
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 50, 52.)

50
QUESTIONS
1. Compare and contrast the duties of armorbearer in the Old and
New Testaments. How do the duties link? How do your tasks relate
to the duties the Scriptures describe?
2. Explain what Ephesians 6:12 means to you. Have you wrestled

with these? In what ways? Have you won all your wrestling
matches?
3. If the armorbearer’s most important duties lie in the spirit realm,

what proportion of your time should be spent in spiritual things?
How do you spend your time when comparing the physical
demands of your service and the spiritual demands? What should
you do to be sure you are ready for spiritual combat?
4. Define these according to your experience: prayer, watchfulness,

intercession. Are you engaged in these activities on behalf of your
leader and his or her dreams?
5. Look again at the duties of an armorbearer listed. How well do you

perform these? If you are able to do so, have your leader rate you
on these. Then pray over those that need to be increased.
51
M E D I TAT I O N
“If anyone thinks that because he fills the position
of pastor, prophet, apostle, evangelist or teacher he
is better than the rest of the Body, then he had better
prepare to be brought low, for that is pride, and destruction
is waiting for him right around the corner. I trust that you
never fall for that kind of deceptive thinking.”
Have you had prideful thoughts because

of your gifts or calling? Repent of these thoughts
and ask the Lord to destroy any work of satan
that will cause pride to rise within you.
52
D AY 13
The Cry of God’s Leaders
A ND I WILL COME DOWN AND TALK WITH

THEE THERE: AND I WILL TAKE OF THE
SPIRIT WHICH IS UPON THEE, AND WILL PUT IT
UPON THEM; AND THEY SHALL BEAR THE BUR-
DEN OF THE PEOPLE WITH THEE, THAT THOU
BEAR IT NOT THYSELF ALONE (NUMBERS 11:17).
53
G
od placed the vision in you. He birthed it in your spirit.
…The work God has begun will continue long after
you—if you are willing to put yourself into other peo-
ple, without fear of giving them the authority they need to help
you. You can tell how good a leader is by the quality of people
following after him.…
Here [are two things] to do, when seeking [an armorbearer]
for your own ministry:
1. Pray for God’s divinely-appointed people to come your way.
…Ask God to send you quality people to carry your
vision forward. …You just need to petition Him, and
start thanking Him for answering your prayer.
2. Be willing to invest yourself in the lives of your helpers.
Some leaders wonder why they have problems with
their staff. Many times the reason is because they have
never invested themselves in their associates. …the
Lord spoke to Moses [in Numbers 11] about those who
had been chosen to assist him in leading the children of
Israel. …Moses laid his hands on his associates, thus
imparting the spirit to them. Where would we be today
had Jesus not invested Himself in the disciples? …The
Lord has not called any of us to control the lives of
other people, but to be an example to the flock.
54
QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think so many ministries die while there is a strong
person in charge? Why are few ministries able to be passed down
to others, whether they be passed down to family members or
other associates? Do you feel fear can be at the root of many of
these cases? What other issues might be involved?
2. What kinds of people are following you? Describe their quality in

spirit and fruit. What kinds of people are following the leader
above you? Also describe these people in terms of spirit and fruit.
What conclusions might you draw from your evaluation?
3. We know we are to pray before selecting people to serve with us.

But how can we be proactive in prayer when asking God to send us
people who match the vision? Why are we to thank Him for
answering our prayer before we see the answer come?
4. How willing are you to invest your life in those who serve with
you? Are the leaders above you demonstrating their willingness to
invest their lives in you and the others who serve them? What does
this investment look like? What do you think the Lord expects the
investment to be?
5. In Numbers 11, we see a spiritual investment that Moses made

into his elders. How important is this type of investment? What
other forms might spiritual investment take? What is the differ-
ence between controlling others and being an example to others?
55
M E D I TAT I O N
“Ask God to send you quality people to carry
your vision forward.The people whom God sends
you may be your own personal family, or they
may not be. …The unity between a leader
and his staff is in the spirit and not by blood.”
Have you prayed for people to come alongside of you

to carry your vision forward? Have you considered
family members as well as those who might be “unlikely”
but yet are bonded to the vision in spirit? Ask the Lord
to reveal those who are to be with you in the ministry.
56
D AY 14
Send Me a Joshua!
N OW AFTER THE DEATH OF

SERVANT OF THE
THAT THE
LORD
MOSES THE
IT CAME TO PASS,
LORD SPAKE UNTO JOSHUA THE SON
OF NUN, MOSES’ MINISTER…(JOSHUA 1:1).
57
J
oshua’s duty was to wait on Moses,to contribute to his success,and
to serve him in everything that he did. Had Moses had an armor-
bearer,it would have been Joshua because of their relationship.
Today apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers
all across our land are crying out for a man like Joshua to come
to their aid. But my question to them is: Are you willing to be a
Moses to your Joshua?…
…Moses was willing to invest his anointing, and his whole
life, into Joshua.
Here [are two things] to look for, and to do, when seeking a
Joshua for your own ministry:
1. Delegate authority.…Do not be afraid to let [your associ-
ates] fully express their God-given creativity. Some-
times leaders live in fear that they are losing control
because others are beginning to grasp the vision and
“run with it.”…
2. Look for the spirit of an armorbearer in people. Here [are
some] qualifications…:
• Do they have a disciplined prayer life?
• Are they faithful to the church?
• Is their family intact?
• Are they tithers?
• Are you at ease in their presence?
• Are they at ease in your presence?
• Are they disciplined mentally and physically?
• Do they submit to authority?
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 55-56, 58-59.)

58
QUESTIONS
1. What are some of the characteristics you see in Joshua that allow
you to sense the personal relationship between Moses and him?
What types of duties did he have before leading the people of
Israel into the Promised Land? What authority did Moses give
him along the way? What can you learn from this team that can
help you in your ministry?
2. What kind of investment do you think Moses made in Joshua?

What were the risks? Do you think Joshua ever failed? How do you
think Moses may have responded to Joshua’s failures? How do you
think Joshua might have responded to Moses’ correction?
3. How easy is it for you to delegate authority? Then consider how

easily your leader gives authority to you when you are to carry out
his mission. Where is there room for growth on both of your parts?
4. What do you think the spirit of an armorbearer looks like in peo-

ple? How can you tell if you are attracted to someone because of
their natural abilities or appearance alone and not the spirit within
them?
5. Look at the qualifications of an armorbearer listed. How do you

rate in each one? How well do your associates rate? Do you see this
list as an impartial way of procuring new recruits?
59
M E D I TAT I O N
“If you are going to give anyone responsibility in any
area, then be big enough to give him the authority
he needs to carry out that responsibility.…What
good is a general without an army to follow him?”
Do you see how leaders can disable their

armies by maintaining tight control? Where
do you need to enable your associates so
that they can acquire new levels of authority?
60
D AY 15
Steps to Develop the Spirit

of an Armorbearer
B UT HE GIVETH MORE GRACE.WHEREFORE

HE SAITH, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, BUT
GIVETH GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE (JAMES 4:6).
61
E
very child of God…needs to develop the character of an
armorbearer. …we need [more emphasis] on the develop-
ment of the character of Christ. …God’s power is hindered
because of our lust for power, money and sex. These things are
currently destroying ministries around the world.
[Following are] some steps…to develop the spirit of a true
God-called armorbearer.
Step 1. Free yourself from pride. (James 4:6.)
• Evidences are pride are: an independent spirit, failure to
admit mistakes, lack of a teachable spirit, rebellious atti-
tude toward those in authority, a proud countenance, a
self-centered conversation, intolerance toward the mis-
takes of others, a bossy attitude.
Step 2. Free yourself from anger. (Prov. 16:32.)
• Evidences of anger are: temper tantrums, angry reaction
to supposed injustice, expressed frustration over
unchangeable circumstances, complaining, extreme sensi-
tivity and touchiness.
Step 3. Free yourself from immorality. (2 Cor. 7:1.)
• Evidences of a spirit of impurity are: sensual conversation,
reading impure materials, impure attitude and improper
actions toward members of the opposite sex, desire to lis-
ten to sensual music, sensual dress or appearance, carnal
curiosity.
Step 4. Free yourself from bitterness. (Heb. 12:15.)
• Evidences of a spirit of bitterness are: sarcastic and critical
talk, inability to trust people, frequent illness, self-pity, a
sad countenance.
These are all areas in which we need to judge ourselves in
order to break satan’s power in our life, to be pleasing to God,
and to be the light of the world.

62
QUESTIONS
1. If you were to describe the “character of an armorbearer,” what
would it be? How have you developed these character traits? Do
you sense the urgency that God is asking you to become even more
like Christ than ever before?
2. Look at Step 1 and the traits that describe a person with pride. Do
you resemble any of these…even in the least? Read James 4:6 to
whet your appetite for freeing yourself from any pride that you
currently possess.
3 Look at Step 2. You may not be visibly angry at the moment, but
study the traits listed to see if there are hidden areas of anger in
your life. Read Proverbs 16:32 and pray to be freed from any anger
you still harbor.
4. Look at Step 3 and the traits that describe a person who is plagued
with immorality. Many times we think immorality is expressed
only through adultery or fornication. But looking at this list, deter-
mine if any of these traits have ever described or currently describe
you. Then read 2 Corinthians 7:1 to prepare for God to purge you
from this sin.
5. Look at Step 4. Bitterness and its traits are subtle but very manip-
ulative and divisive. Do any of these describe you? Do you need to
forgive anyone so that you can pull out the root of bitterness in
your own life? Read Hebrews 12:15 and ask God to extend grace
to you in this area.
63
M E D I TAT I O N
“We are God’s armorbearers.We are to carry the
shield for one another, joining our faith together. If we
will do that, we will truly become God’s Great Army.We
will go forth to conquer in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
How well do you carry others’ shields in the army

that you are a part of? Do others trust you to carry their
shields? Do you see yourself as part of a unit that will
conquer satan’s forces in the power of the Holy Spirit?
64
D AY 16
Fields White Unto Harvest
T ILL WE ALL COME IN THE UNITY OF THE

FAITH, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE
SON OF GOD, UNTO A PERFECT MAN, UNTO THE
MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE FULNESS OF
CHRIST (EPHESIANS 4:13).
65
W
e need each other in order to fulfill God’s call on our
lives. …now is the time for us in the Church of Jesus
Christ to come into “the unity of the faith.” (Eph.
4:13.)…
For the first time in over forty years, there is some measure
of freedom of religion in many areas of Eastern Europe. The
Church must take advantage of the doors which have been so
miraculously opened to the spread of the Gospel.…
God is saying to the Church,“Here is your opportunity.”
Billy Graham was in Hungary during the month of August
1989, [preaching to over 120,000 people.] So many were saved, it
was impossible to get literature to all of them individually, so it
was…just thrown to the spiritually starved crowds. The ushers
believed God that the literature would get to the ones who
wanted and needed it most.
Can you see what God is doing in the earth? This move of
the Holy Spirit is far greater than the charismatic movement. It’s
greater than the Baptist church or the Assemblies of God, or any
other single denomination or church group on earth. We Chris-
tians must link up together in a joint effort. We must come to
understand our anointing, our authority, our assignment, and
then begin to flow with each other and God’s Spirit.
66
QUESTIONS
1. What do you think the author means when he says,“We need each
other in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives”? Who do you need
to fulfill God’s call on your life? Who needs you in order to fulfill
their God-given call? How does God dovetail us together in order
to accomplish His Kingdom purposes?
2. What does the “unity of the faith” look like? Do we have to believe
the same doctrine? Do we have to have the same vision? What do
we need in order to be unified?
3. What opportunities do you see that have opened up for the spread
of the Gospel in the world? Are there new opportunities in your
city or region? Do you have new acquaintances or relationships
that are providing new opportunities for you personally? What
part must you play in the labor of the white fields?
4. How would you describe the current move of the Holy Spirit on
the earth today? What is the Holy Spirit trying to teach the
Church in order to help her fulfill her mission? What is the Holy
Spirit saying to your local church about her mission? What is the
Holy Spirit speaking to you in order for you to fulfill your destiny?
5. Do you understand how your anointing fits in with others in your

local church? Do you understand where your authority lies and
how God wants you to exercise it for His Kingdom purposes? Do
you comprehend your assignment on this earth and how God has
prepared and equipped you to meet your destiny’s requirements?
67
M E D I TAT I O N
“…God had impregnated my spirit with a dream,
a vision. …I knew I was going to carry the Gospel
to the nations. I didn’t have any idea how God
was going to bring that vision to reality; I just
knew that somehow He would.”
Have you ever had a dream or vision that God put

deep into your spirit? Did you know how He was
going to accomplish the vision or were you, like the
author, dependent upon the Lord to set up its
accomplishment? Are there dreams and visions
you still need to see fulfilled? Take time to ask
the Lord to press you into position to receive
the fulfillment of those dreams and visions.
68
D AY 17
The Anointing
of an Armorbearer
B UT JEHOSHAPHAT SAID, IS THERE NOT HERE

A PROPHET OF THE
INQUIRE OF THE LORD
LORD, THAT WE MAY
BY HIM? AND ONE OF
THE KING OF ISRAEL’S SERVANTS ANSWERED AND
SAID, HERE IS ELISHA THE SON OF SHAPHAT,
WHICH POURED WATER ON THE HANDS OF ELIJAH
(2 KINGS 3:11).
69
I
n order to develop the true spirit of an armorbearer, the first
step is to understand our anointing. We have noted that an
armorbearer is anointed to carry another man’s shield into
battle. His call and duty is to lay down his life for someone
else.…
I believe that right now there are people who have been
faithful to “pour water on the hands of their Elijah.” [See
2 Kings 3:11.] …the anointing of God is coming upon them.
God is raising up all kinds of people, and the ones He is looking
for are those who have shown themselves to be loyal servants,
anointed as armorbearers.
The Word of the Lord may be with you, as it was with
Elisha, because God looks at the heart. He looked at Elisha’s
heart, and the Word of the Lord was with him.…
Every true believer has his own mantle of anointing. We do
not need to covet another man’s mantle or anointing.
Elisha remained faithful to Elijah under all kinds of differ-
ent circumstances. Historians tell us that Elisha served Elijah for
about fifteen to twenty years. By this we know that Elisha heard
everything that Elijah said, and saw everything he did, whether
good or bad.
70
QUESTIONS
1. How do we learn to “understand our anointing”? What are the
terms of your anointing? If you could draw boundaries around the
grace you have on your life, where would those boundaries of
anointing be drawn?
2. Do you find that your own dreams and visions and the anointing
you have on your life ever conflict with those of the leader you are
called to serve? Should there ever be such a conflict in our lives?
Why or why not?
3. How well do you “pour water on the hands” of your leader? Do

you serve in a way that allows your anointing to be of use to your
leader? Does your service to that person include whatever gifts you
have and resources you have accumulated?
4. As God looks at your heart, describe what you think He sees in

terms of your mantle of anointing. Are you a loyal Elisha?
5. Have circumstances ever affected how you serve your leader? Have
you found difficulties or problems that bring your mantle of
anointing to a low point? How should we rise above the circum-
stances and remain steady throughout our service? What does it
take to operate in this manner?
71
M E D I TAT I O N
“When King Ahab sent soldiers after Elijah,
he was sitting on a hill. Elijah cried out to the
captain of the guard…If I be a man of God,
then let fire come down from heaven, and consume
thee and thy fifty… (2 Kings 1:10).The fire fell,
and fifty men died, leaving fifty horses to go running
back to town with empty saddles. How would you have
responded if you had been Elijah’s associate at this time?”
Think about your response to this question.

Would you have reacted out of pride? Would you
have responded with worship? Honestly evaluate
your response and allow it tell you something
about your heart in terms of serving your leader.

72
D AY 18
Recognizing the Human

Side of Leaders
A TALEBEARER REVEALETH SECRETS: BUT HE

THAT IS OF A FAITHFUL SPIRIT CONCEALETH
THE MATTER (PROVERBS 11:13).
73
H
ow do you respond when your leader reacts in fear, when
you discover that he is human just as you are? …Have
you seen your leader fall? Have you seen him make a
great mistake and even get into sin? What’s your reaction? Are
you ready to leave and find some other place of employment, or
are you willing to help, support and see him restored? Here is
where we really find out what we are made of. If there is a true
attitude of repentance, a faithful man will stand with his leader.
…A true armorbearer knows how to control his tongue in pub-
lic, but how to speak boldly in prayer. [See Proverbs 11:13.]
Elisha remained faithful to Elijah, and because of this faith-
fulness…Elisha could ask for a double portion of his anointing.
(2 Kings 2:9.) …When Elijah departed, Elisha was there to
watch him being taken up into heaven…. Elijah’s mantle fell
from his shoulders at the feet of Elisha. It was then, at that time,
that the anointing doubled.
In these last days, I expect to see a similar doubling, or even
a tripling, of God’s anointing upon His people. But it will come
upon those who have been faithful to their Elijah. Whether you
see your leader do great things, or make great mistakes, you must
still remain faithful to him.
74
QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever seen your leader fearful? What might cause your
leader to have fear in the future? How should you pray for him or
her to guard against fear?
2. Has your leader fallen in any way? Have you ever seen your leader
sin? How have you reacted to these times in the past? What does
God want you to do? How can you be supportive of the person
without supporting the sin?
3. Have you ever shared with others any weaknesses or peculiarities

your leader has? How does this type of exposure show disloyalty
and unfaithfulness? If you have shared “innocently” about your
leader, for whatever reason, take time to repent and ask God to
keep your tongue from doing so in the future.
4. Do you desire a double portion of your leader’s anointing? Using

Elisha’s example, what must you do to position yourself for such
an anointing? What fruit of the Spirit must be demonstrated in
your life?
5. When your leader does great things, do you ever flatter him or
build him up in a fleshly manner? Why is this as dangerous as
pointing out their faults? How should you affirm your leader so he
is built up in the spirit man with God’s grace rather than after the
flesh which can bring pride?
75
M E D I TAT I O N
“The ministry…requires an ability to work with
other people without giving or taking offense.
True armorbearing is the ability to see the human
side of our leaders and still maintain respect for them.”
Take time to evaluate how easily you take offense

with others in general, and then specifically with
your leader. Ask the Lord to break those chains
of offense that hold you back from releasing
others, and loose your heart to forgive and forget.
76
D AY 19
Recognizing the Right

of Divine Authority
W HO IN THE DAYS OF
HE
HIS FLESH, WHEN
HAD OFFERED UP PRAYERS AND
SUPPLICATIONS WITH STRONG CRYING AND
TEARS UNTO HIM THAT WAS ABLE TO SAVE HIM
FROM DEATH, AND WAS HEARD IN THAT HE
FEARED; THOUGH HE WERE A SON, YET
LEARNED HE OBEDIENCE BY THE THINGS WHICH
HE SUFFERED (HEBREWS 5:7-8).
77
…
in order to be true armorbearers, [we must come to
understand] the right of divine authority. We must
know, recognize and yield to God’s authority in our
lives. We have to pray daily, “Father, not my will, but Thine be
done.” We have to be determined in our hearts to stay in God’s
will regardless of the cost or consequences.
When we look at Jesus, we might think that because He was
the Son of God He had no problem at all fulfilling God’s will for
His life. Let’s look at Hebrews 5:7-8 to see if this is true.…
We see Jesus in “strong crying and tears” before the Father,
yet choosing to remain in God’s will for His life and praying to
fulfill the divine call that was upon Him.…
Several years ago the Lord said something to me that has
helped me during hard times. He said: “Keep your eyes on the
resurrection, and you can endure the cross.” The cross is not a
burden; it’s the call of God on our lives. If it is God’s will for you
to stay in one place for the rest of your life in order to give your-
self to and for someone else, then let God’s will be done.
78
QUESTIONS
1. In your understanding, what is divine authority? Who has the
right to claim divine authority? How does God give such author-
ity? Is it difficult for you to respond to those having God’s author-
ity or not?
2. How is God’s authority received when you like what He has to say?
How about when you don’t like what He is directing you to do?
How well do you submit your will to God’s will? Is it costly at
times? What has obeying God’s will cost you personally?
3. How do you feel about the fact that Jesus wrestled with God’s plan
for Him? Do you see that Jesus did not sin while He cried before
the Father? What would have made it become sin? How did he
gain the strength to fulfill His divine call? How should we gain the
same kind of strength?
4. How can we see the resurrection through the crosses we bear? Is it

easy to endure when we know pain is temporary? What if we don’t
know how long the pain will last? What if we aren’t sure of the
type of resurrection we will receive?
5. We are to give ourselves to God’s will. This means our trial may
be a long one. Are you ready for the long haul if God would ask
you to patiently endure beyond what you think is possible? How
do we get the courage to submit our will to God’s authority when
we see bleak years ahead? What do we need to rise above the cir-
cumstances and relationships that may deplete us of our strength
to endure?
79
M E D I TAT I O N
“Whatever it takes, whether you are happy or
hurting, make a firm commitment in your
heart to fulfill God’s plan for your life.”
Have you made such a commitment? What

does it take for you to push past happiness or hurt
to commit to God’s plan? Take time to pray for
God’s strength to commit to His will for your life.
80
D AY 20
Giving Birth to God’s Will
T HE VOICE OF HIM THAT CRIETH IN THE

WILDERNESS,
LORD, MAKE
PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE
STRAIGHT IN THE DESERT A HIGH-
WAY FOR OUR GOD (ISAIAH 40:3).
81
S
piritual birth takes place the same way that natural birth
occurs. In order to bring forth in the spiritual realm, we
have to get intimate with God. From that intimacy comes
pregnancy. From pregnancy will eventually come travail, and
then, finally, birth.
We must give birth to the fulfillment of God’s will in our
lives.The fulfillment of our God-given vision will not drop down
on us out of the sky. We must draw nigh to God, and then He
will draw nigh to us. (James 4:8.)…
To become intimate with the Lord, we must seek Him with
our whole heart.
Once we have developed an intimate relationship with God,
we will get pregnant with a dream or a vision which has been
planted in us by the Lord. Then we must take that vision…and
begin to nurture it, causing it to grow and develop. [This] will
lead to godly travail, without which there can be no birth. That
travail is our intercession.…
Intercession is like building a highway for the Lord. We
have to do the work first, and then God will send His glory. If we
will be patient and faithful, if we will follow the process of inti-
macy, pregnancy, travail and birth, we will see the fulfillment of
our heavenly dream and vision.
82
QUESTIONS
1. How intimate are you with the Lord? Do you draw nigh to Him
easily? Do you crave His presence and commune with Him often?
Does your intimacy show in what you do during your day? Does it
transfer to your relationships?
2. What has God impregnated within you? What spiritual dreams and
visions have you received from Him? How did you know they were
from the Lord? What made you know that these dreams or visions
were your burden and not the burden of another?
3. When someone is impregnated with a dream or vision from the

Lord, what is needed to nurture and grow it? Why is there time
needed to develop the vision in secret just as a baby is developed in
secret inside the womb? How do we develop a vision to full term?
What does it take to bring full growth to a vision or dream so the
“time is ripe”?
4. Have you travailed for a dream or vision God has put inside of you?
How does intercession become the work that travails a vision to
birth? Is intercession an integral part of your life? Does your
dream depend on your intercession?
5. Have you ever birthed a dream or vision the Lord has given to you?
What did the birth look like? Can you compare it to a helpless,
rather uncultured baby? What was the process you went through
to be sure the birth came forth? Take time to praise God for the
visions and dreams you have birthed.
83
M E D I TAT I O N
“Some of the most miserable people in this world
are women who are pregnant and overdue. Likewise,
some of the most miserable Christians in the world
are those who are “pregnant” with a vision from God,
and yet have not been able to give birth to that vision.”
Have you ever experienced the types of people

described here? Have you ever resembled either one?
What does a “spiritually overdue” person look like?
What are his tendencies? If you are spiritually overdue
in any vision God has planted within you, take time
to ask the Lord to bring you into travail and birth.
84
D AY 21
Understanding Our Assignment

and Appreciating Our Gifts
B UT NOW HATH
HATH PLEASED
GOD SET THE MEMBERS
EVERY ONE OF THEM IN THE BODY, AS IT
HIM (1 CORINTHIANS 12:18).
85
W
e need…to learn and understand our God-given assig
ment. The fulfillment of that assignment is dependent
upon the proper use of the divine gifts which have
been bestowed upon us.…
We must know in our hearts that we had absolutely nothing
to do with choosing the gifts that God has placed inside…us. He
bestows gifts according to His will, and it is up to us to receive
those gifts and allow the Lord to add to us more gifts “as He
wills.” (1 Cor. 12:11.)…
As we are faithful in small things, God will make us rulers
over many. (Matt. 25:21.) As we stay with the assignment and the
gifts God has given each of us, He will bring our gift before great
men.…
Whether we are a pastor…or a layman, each of us has a
flock. That flock belongs to us individually, and God expects us
to tend it. David’s flock was his assignment from God, and he
knew that, although he had been anointed to be king of Israel,
his first priority right at the moment was to continue to tend to
his first assignment.…
When we set out to build the Kingdom, we must be sure
God is one hundred percent in and behind what we are doing.
(Quote from God’s Armorbearer,Volume 1, Pages 74-75, 77, 79.)
86
QUESTIONS
1. How does a person learn and understand his God-given assign-
ment? Do you know of any tools that can help you discover the
gifts and passions that God has given you? How well do you know
your assignment? How well do those around you know their
assignments? Are there ways you could help those who serve with
you learn what God wants them to do for His Kingdom?
2. What is the “proper use of our divine gifts”? Is there a way we can
use our gifts improperly? How does a person know if he is using
his gifts in the way God desires? How are you using your gifts?
3. Why do you think people envy other people’s gifts instead of

focusing on their own? Does anyone you know feel “entitled” to
receive the gifts and anointing that they desire, even if God does
not agree? How can we come into agreement with God’s choices
for us and learn to love them?
4. How difficult is it for you to stay with an assignment that God has
given you for the long haul? Are you easily distracted? Are you
tempted to quit when things are challenging? Do you find yourself
bored with the assignment? What might you do to correct these
issues?
5. Who is in your little “flock”? In what ways do you tend for those in
your flock? How do you treat your flock even when they do not
seem to follow you well? Do you ever wish for a new flock? What
does God want you to do to make your flock the best it possibly
can be?
87
M E D I TAT I O N
“The spirit of an armorbearer is the Spirit of Christ.
This is the day we see that God’s children should
take up the shields of others and be willing to carry
them forth into battle. …The armorbearers of
today will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Do you believe the last sentence to be true?

Have you seen armorbearers become leaders?
Do they exemplify the Spirit of Christ? Do you?
88
D AY 22
The Hour of the Local Church
A S EACH OF YOU HAS RECEIVED A GIFT (A

PARTICULAR SPIRITUAL TALENT, A GRA-
CIOUS DIVINE ENDOWMENT), EMPLOY IT FOR
ONE ANOTHER AS [BEFITS] GOOD TRUSTEES OF
GOD’S MANY-SIDED GRACE—FAITHFUL STEW-
ARDS OF THE EXTREMELY DIVERSE [POWERS
AND GIFTS GRANTED TO CHRISTIANS BY]
UNMERITED FAVOR (1 PETER 4:10 AMP).
89
T
he local church is the hub from which all ministry gifts
are to function and the center out of which they are to
flow. In the local church, you find what is needed to build
the character of Christ in us. Each member of the Body of Christ
should discover his or her gift and calling, and then become fully
connected to a local church, submitting one to another and sub-
mitting to the God-called pastors and leaders there.…
[There are] forty keys [in Volume 2] to producing longevity
of service…where God has placed you. [Here are thirteen of
those keys]:
1. You must have a call from God.
2. Make sure you have a real personal relationship with
Christ.
3. Ask God to give you His vision, or goal for your life.
4. Be willing to do whatever is asked.
5. Do not lose sight of the people behind the work.
6. Be thankful for your position and never take it for
granted.
7. Be willing to submit to authority.
8. Know that you are in God’s will.
9. Know that your rewards are laid up in Heaven.
10. Develop a servant’s heart.
11. Walk without offense.
12. Serve as if you were serving Jesus Himself, and do not
get your eyes on the man under whom you work. On the
other hand, be careful to respect the call that is on his
life.
13. Be patient.

90
QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think God has made the local church the hub from
which all ministry gifts are to function? Why is the church the cen-
ter out of which the gifts are to flow? What does the local church
bring to a person that a traveling ministry cannot do?
2. How does the local church build the character of Christ into us?
How does it challenge us in ways that bring us to our knees or
reveal our sins? Have you found your local church a place where
the flashlight shines on the weakness in your character?
3. What does being “fully connected” to the local church mean? How
does the Sunday-only Christian miss out on this connection? Does
it seem risky to get involved in ministry? Why or why not? What
risks have you taken to be involved where you are?
4. Why does submission become a major stumbling block for people

within the local church? Why is submission a prerequisite for
using your gifts within a local body of believers? How do you
know if you are in submission to others who are your peers? How
do you know if you are submitting to the leaders over you?
5. Look at the thirteen keys to longevity listed. Rate yourself accord-

ing to each one. Find and memorize Scriptures that support the
ones that are most difficult to do.
91
M E D I TAT I O N
“From the prophetic signs happening every day,
it seems Jesus is soon to return.That is why I feel
such an urgency about each member of the Body
of Christ finding his place and remaining faithful,
so we can be productive in God’s Kingdom.
I believe this is the hour of the local church.”
Do you understand the urgency that the author

expresses here? What part do you think the local church
plays in preparing the Bride to receive her Bridegroom?
92
D AY 23
Armorbearers Are
Vital for Churches
F OR THIS CAUSE HAVE I SENT UNTO YOU

TIMOTHEUS, WHO IS MY BELOVED SON, AND
FAITHFUL IN THE LORD, WHO SHALL BRING YOU
INTO REMEMBRANCE OF MY WAYS WHICH BE IN
CHRIST, AS I TEACH EVERY WHERE IN EVERY
CHURCH (1 CORINTHIANS 4:17).
93
P
astors and leaders in the majority of churches have been
bearing the brunt of the work of the ministry. That is why
you hear of so many ministers “burning out.” Pastors and
other spiritual leaders should be breaking through, not burning
out. Spiritual and natural breakthroughs will happen as the Body
of Christ decides to do its full part.…
God is calling for many Christians to become armorbearers
for their leaders and for each other. We should begin to work as a
team to advance God’s Kingdom in the earth. …
of service…where God has placed you. [Here are thirteen addi-
tional keys]:
14. Have a loyalty that goes beyond personal feelings.
15. Respect everyone.
16. Hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.
17. Judge yourself.
18. Do not ever be too big to do the small things or too
small to do the big things.
19. Commit to the ministry the way you ought to be com-
mitted to your marriage.
20. Know that you are important and needed.
21. Help other people fulfill their ministries.
22. Do everything you know to do to get where you want to
be.
23. Do the very best wherever you are.
24. Stay with something until the job is done.
25. Never quit.
26. Be dependable.

94
QUESTIONS
1. Have you seen burnout in the lives of any pastors or leaders you
know? Was the burnout caused by the lack of people bearing the
ministry with them? How do you think the church can learn to
bless the leaders by servicing, rather than giving some unwanted
gift or favor?
2. If members of congregations do their part, how will spiritual lead-

ers begin to see breakthroughs? Does this have to do with how
much more time they will have at their disposal to pursue higher
things? Does this have to do with energy and effort that can be
expelled on a different level? Do you think the Church will see
more breakthroughs when the local body does its part more effec-
tively? In what ways?
3. How is the armorbearer to be a team player? What does a team

bring to the table in a local church that solo saints cannot bring?
How does the armorbearer spirit work for others in the same peer
group?
4. How can the spirit of the armorbearer be spread among those in

your circle of influence? What can you do to help those who serve
under or around you to catch the spirit? What example must you
set?
5. Look at the keys to longevity listed. Rate yourself according to

each one. Find and memorize Scriptures that support the ones that
are the most difficult to do.
95
M E D I TAT I O N
“The local church is called to touch its community,
town, or city for God. …What part are you to play?
Where can you get involved? What resources do
you have available? What opportunities lie before you?
What do the leaders of your local church need
from you? How many times have they asked for
help, or how many times have you volunteered?”
Answer these questions specifically.Then spend

time praying and listening for direction
from the Lord for the next steps to take.

96
D AY 24
Successful Keys to Blooming

Where You Are Planted
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT,

ISHED MY COURSE,
(2 TIMOTHY 4:7).
I
I HAVE FIN-
HAVE KEPT THE FAITH
97
T
ake a look at what you have to offer your local church.You
may feel that you have nothing to offer, but that is never
true of anyone. Each born-again believer has something
to offer that is unique. Each Christian has a call on his life which
will become apparent once he is involved in a church.…
…Each church has a vision that was given to the pastor by
the Holy Spirit, and the pastor should take the time to share that
vision with the church. Then members of the congregation
should seek the Lord Jesus Christ to discover where each of
them fits into that vision.
of service…where God has placed you. [Here are fourteen addi-
tional keys]:
27. Be a good follower as well as a good leader.
28. Maintain your joy in the Lord.
29. Always remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
30. Always obey God’s specific instructions.
31. Be patient with one another.
32. Always walk in love.
33. Be willing to change direction.
34. Know that God is your Source.
35. Use all the abilities that God has given you.
36. Have a healthy perspective of yourself.
37. Always keep the overall vision of the church before you.
38. Maintain a good attitude.
39. Trust in God’s grace and His anointing on your life.
40. Be big enough to be rebuked and corrected.

98
QUESTIONS
1. Make a list of your gifts and resources you can offer to your local
church. Make the list without reservation as to how your church
might use these gifts. How should you pray to see what you should
do first?
2. What do you think is unique about you, which God can use to
spread His Kingdom? Is your uniqueness something that the
church can use to benefit its vision? How can you offer this unique
quality to your leadership?
3. Sometimes we must begin working with the gifts we have and then
we will discover our calling along the way. Do you know anyone
who has experienced this process of discovery? Why do acts of
obedience place us in positions where God can speak clearly to us?
How does the affirmation of man and observation of anointing
work into this discovery?
4. What do you see in your immediate future in regards to your local

church? What do you see in the next five years? Ten years?
Describe where you want to be and what you want to be doing in
five years and then in ten years. Be sure you seek God’s heart for
these answers.
5. Look at the keys of longevity listed. Rate yourself according to

each one. Find and memorize Scriptures that support the ones that
are the most difficult to do.
99
M E D I TAT I O N
“…there are no more excuses.You have a talent
that your pastor and your local church need, to help
reach your city. Each church has a vision that was given
to the pastor by the Holy Spirit…. Opportunities
[to fit into that vision are] available, [but] require
people willing to release their talents.”
Have you ever given excuses as to why you

should not use your talents for your local church?
Have you heard excuses from others?
Pray about what you and others are to do
to make the vision of your church successful.
100
D AY 25
Keys to Longevity—
Understanding the Call of God
W HO HATH SAVED US, AND CALLED US

WITH AN HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORD-
ING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS
OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN
US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN
(2 TIMOTHY 1:9).
101
I
n God’s hands, we are “seed,” and the world is His field. He
wants to put our lives in His hands and let Him plant us
into the world. God determined the type of seed you are and
where you were to be planted.
…[God] planned our lives before the world was created.
Now, He wants to plant each of us so we can begin to bloom and
bring forth fruit in season.…
God has a purpose in life for you to fulfill. You are not here
by accident. You have a destiny in God to fulfill. You must find
out your purpose by seeking God. Then, you become the decid-
ing factor in fulfilling that purpose.…
…God did not ask your opinion when He planned you and
made you. It was all up to Him.…
No matter what position you hold, you are there to produce
for the Kingdom of God and bring the lost into the saving
knowledge of Jesus. We must realize that we were called before
we met our families, our spouses, or anyone else in our lives. And
we must, at the Judgment, give account to God for what we did
with that purpose and calling.
102
QUESTIONS
1. How easy is it for you to put your life in God’s hands? As the Mas-
ter Sower desires to plant you, do you see what kind of seed you
are? Do you see the season of planting He has determined for your
gifts? Do you understand where He has planted you and why?
2. How well are you blooming where you currently are planted? Do
you see yourself as one who is flourishing or one who is merely
getting by? How healthy are your roots? How rich is your fruit?
3. Do you sense God’s purpose in your life? Do you see the great
plan He has for you and that you are not an accident? Do you
believe that your gifts were not given by chance or lottery and that
God put each one inside of you for His purpose? How are you the
deciding factor in fulfilling your purpose? What does it take to ful-
fill the purposes of God?
4. Why do many of us feel we are entitled to choose our gifts and call-
ing? Where does this sense of entitlement come from? What
should we do for ourselves and others who are serving around us
to rid ourselves of feelings of rights or entitlement in the things of
God? How will clearing ourselves of this type of mentality free us
to be all we can be in God?
5. Why do you think God placed in you in this time period in his-
tory? Why do you think God decided you were to have the family
you have? Why do you believe He matched you with your spouse
and children—if you have them? Why do you think He has put
you in your specific career? What about your local church?
103
M E D I TAT I O N
“God wants His children to grow up and be like
trees planted by rivers of water. (Ps. 1:3.) Have you
ever noticed something peculiar about a tree? It never
moves! …If a tree is continually uprooted and
replanted, eventually the roots will die. Many
Christians have experienced this.”
Have you ever been uprooted and moved? Since

most of us have changed churches at least a few times
in our lives, ask the Lord to show you any hidden
rebellion, any offense, any sin, or any lack of submission
that may have entered into a decision to change churches.
Repent and forgive as the Lord leads you.
104
D AY 26
Keys to Longevity—Those Who

Seek God Will Follow a Vision
O NE THING HAVE
THAT WILL I
I DESIRED OF THE
SEEK AFTER; THAT
DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
LORD,
I MAY
ALL THE
DAYS OF MY LIFE, TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF
THE LORD, AND TO INQUIRE IN HIS TEMPLE
(PSALM 27:4).
105
W
e get God’s plan, will, and direction by establishing a
habit of prayer and study of the Word. …The key to
our being able to walk in victory is to cry out, “Lord,
teach us to pray.”
You will have many opportunities to quit the position you
hold. …the strength to stand, strength to go on, and strength to
resist satan only comes in prayer. In our quiet times with God,
He gives peace and strength.
We must develop a heart that seeks after God.…
The first calling for all of us is to worship and honor the
Lord on a daily basis. Jesus prayed to the Father. He had a habit
of prayer. That was the key to His anointing, wisdom, and
longevity.…
If you will go to your pastor or church leaders and begin to
serve them, the vision God has for you will begin to come to
pass. Be a blessing in your local church, and you will find doors
opening up in all directions.
Everyone in some way must be connected with a local body
under the leadership of a God-called pastor in the days to come.
Many people move from one ministry to the next, based on what
they think each has to offer them—never asking what God
wants.
106
QUESTIONS
1. Do you have a habit of prayer and study of the Word? Is it a daily
event? Do you sense God growing you each and every time you
read His Word? Do you sense God’s presence each time you pray?
Are you on a track that keeps growing you and your gifts in order
to fulfill your calling?
2. Have you ever felt like quitting? Have things in ministry ever
become “too hard” to take? What should we do when challenges
arise? How prepared are you for the next challenge so you won’t
fold and run?
3. What is a “heart that seeks after God”? What are its characteris-
tics? Do you have that kind of heart? How is it developed? What
might you do to increase the fervor you have for seeking Him?
4. Have you ever asked your pastor or leader to give you insight as to
how to serve them best? Have you allowed them to express what
they see in you rather than what you see yourself? Find an oppor-
tunity this week to ask, and listen to what they say.
5. Why do you think God has you planted where you are right now?
What does your local church offer in terms of challenging your char-
acter? How does your position in ministry purify your gifts? How
do those around you sharpen you to make you a better Christian?
107
M E D I TAT I O N
“…you too will stand before [Jesus] and [give an
account of what you did with the gifts and calling
on your life].That is why our callings are so important
and why we must endure hardships if they come
while fulfilling them.We must be determined to have
God’s will in our lives no matter the cost.”
If you were to stand today to give an account

of how you used your gifts and how you fulfilled
your calling, what would you say? What have you
accomplished thus far that is eternal in its impact?
108
D AY 27
Keys to Longevity—Stay
Where God Puts You
B
FOR
LESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN THE
LORD, AND WHOSE HOPE THE LORD
HE SHALL BE AS A TREE PLANTED BY THE
IS.
WATERS, AND THAT SPREADETH OUT HER ROOTS

BY THE RIVER, AND SHALL NOT SEE WHEN HEAT
COMETH, BUT HER LEAF SHALL BE GREEN; AND
SHALL NOT BE CAREFUL IN THE YEAR OF
DROUGHT, NEITHER SHALL CEASE FROM YIELD-
ING FRUIT (JEREMIAH 17:7-8).
109
K nowing that you are in the ministry that God intends for you
is yet another key to longevity.…
…The will of God is to stay planted where God has you
until He says to move.
This leads to another key to longevity, which is making God
your complete Source.…
You must have a revelation in your heart that your church is
not your source, your pastor is not your source, and your salary is
not your source. Every Christian will face times when it is neces-
sary to find out who to trust: God or man. If you lean toward
man, then man will be the limit of your supply.
I have known people who volunteered to help in a local
church, working for no pay but doing it unto the Lord. Then,
because of their faithfulness, they were placed on staff. Now they
were getting paid but were expected to be on time and put in a
full day’s work. Their attitudes began to be that the church owed
them something. They felt they were worth more than they were
paid, and the work demands were too much. They lost sight of
Who they were working for and Who was their real Source.
110
QUESTIONS
1. How can you find out whether or not you are in the ministry that
God intends for you? What steps can you to take to receive assur-
ance from God? Is there a place for you to ask the counsel of oth-
ers to validate your call? Who are the people who would speak
most honestly to you? (These may not be your best friends or clos-
est peers in ministry.) Through prayer and the confirmation of
others, revalidate your call to your present situation.
2. How reliant are you on God as your Source? Are there any areas
where it is difficult for you to rely on Him? Evaluate the following
areas and your ability to rely on God as your Source in each area:
your salary, your friends, your ministry opportunities, your gifts
finding expression, your leadership, your authority.
3. Have you faced situations where you had to decide whether to

trust God or man? What did you do? Who did you eventually
trust? How can we be prepared to trust God each and every time
difficulties arise? How can we “practice” trust?
4. Have you ever felt limited by those in leadership? Is this indicative

that you trusted them to promote you or your gifts? How can we
overcome the desire to push ourselves forward and instead rely on
our leaders to recognize our worth?
5. Have you ever seen volunteers become disgruntled employees as

the author describes above? Have you ever become disgruntled
yourself, feeling you were “unappreciated” for your worth? How
can we check our hearts so we do not fall into this trap?
111
M E D I TAT I O N
“Using ministries as stepping stones is wrong,
and that could be the reason you are not prospering
in your call. …We must follow our hearts and not the
offers. God holds the future, and the best future for you
does not always hold what seems to be the best offer.”
Have you or anyone you know used

ministries as stepping stones for their own “call”
or agenda? Do you possess this type of attitude
now? Take time to let God search your heart
and root out any hidden agendas you may have.
112
D AY 28
Trust and Obey
B UT BY THE GRACE OF
AM: AND
GOD I AM WHAT
HIS GRACE WHICH WAS BESTOWED
UPON ME WAS NOT IN VAIN; BUT I LABOURED
I
MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL: YET NOT I,

BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME
(1 CORINTHIANS 15:10).
113
Y ou have a grace on your life and talents and abilities to do

what God has called you to do.…
…[God’s] grace is a humbling experience. When He takes
your life, anoints you, and makes you into something you never
thought you could be, that is His grace in operation.…
Two…keys for longevity are trusting in God’s grace on your life
and always obey God’s original instructions.…
You also have talents in your life that will come forth as you
trust God’s grace in the small things. We are what we are by His
grace. If you always obey His original instructions, you will see
things begin to work.
Many times, because of over-zealousness to do great things
for God, we start getting off the course He has set for us. We
want to dream big dreams, and then go after those dreams. The
problem with that is…you wake up one day and find out it was
not God’s dream but your own.
Following your own dream will lead to a dead-end street,
usually with a lot of time and money wasted. You must stop and
take a look at what God originally told you to do in the begin-
ning. Go back to what He spoke to your heart. There is where
you will find the peace of God and His prosperity.
114
QUESTIONS
1. Have you found God’s grace to be a humbling experience? What
does this mean? How does it work? How have you seen His grace
in operation in your life?
2. What does it mean to “trust in God’s grace on your life”? Why is

trust so important to our success in the Kingdom of God? How
does trust put aside the sins of manipulation, covetousness, striv-
ing, stress, and impatience?
3. What were God’s original instructions to you as you sought His

heart for your life? What did those original instructions have as the
goal? What steps did God give you, or what promises did He make
regarding the journey to that goal? Have you kept the original
instructions in focus?
4. Have you ever dreamed a big dream that wasn’t God’s dream?
What happens when we make our own destiny instead of finding
God’s destiny for our lives? How does the pursuit of our own
dreams lead to a dead-end street? Have you found this to be true
in your own life?
5. We all desire peace and prosperity. Why do so many Christians

look for these in outward demonstrations and not within them-
selves? How does focusing on our original purpose bring peace
and prosperity to our lives? How can the rewards come within us?
How can we see them around us?
115
M E D I TAT I O N
“If the Lord has told you to join a church
and commit yourself there, then do exactly what
He said. Determine to be the greatest blessing to your
church that anyone ever has been. From there, God will
direct you one step at a time, and you will not miss Him.
We will not miss God, if we will learn to walk in the
Spirit and stay with what God originally told us to do.”
Take some time to consider what would be

the greatest blessing you could ever leave to your church.
How could you accomplish this? Pray for God to give you
the obedience, trust, and peace necessary to leave a legacy.
116
D AY 29
Patience and Flexibility
H AVING THEN GIFTS DIFFERING ACCORDING

TO THE GRACE THAT IS GIVEN TO US,
WHETHER PROPHECY, LET US PROPHESY
ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF FAITH; OR
MINISTRY, LET US WAIT ON OUR MINISTERING…
(ROMANS 12:6-7).
117
P
atience is another key to longevity. Patience means “the
suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or
other evil with a calm, unfurled temper.” Patience also
means enduring without murmuring or fretting. Or it is the act,
or quality, of waiting long for justice or expected good without
discontent.…
As you…get connected to a local church, the opportunities
to murmur, complain, and become impatient will be there. Most
of these feelings usually are directed to those in authority over
us. We feel that we have a call and a place, and our pastors are not
letting our gifts come forth.…
Along with patience, you must have flexibility. That means
being willing to change. We must be careful not to get in a rut. A
rut is simply an elongated grave.
The majority of people in the world prefer to be “secure,”
which means keeping their own little “worlds” stable with little
change. Because of this characteristic of human nature, we easily
can get “tunnel vision” and miss the prompting of the Holy
Spirit to make a change in our churches or in our lives.…
Your life and ministry will stop dead in its tracks if you do
not accept change. You will never accomplish what God has for
you if you get comfortable.
118
QUESTIONS
1. Look at the definition of the word patience. The list given (afflic-
tions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil) has been part of
every life at one time or another. Have you maintained a calm,
unfurled temper when faced with each of these? Which seem to
challenge you the most?
2. How much do you endure without murmuring? Do you find com-

plaining easier with some people than with others? What can you
do to rid yourself of murmuring? How often do you fret? Do you
find yourself fretting more about certain difficulties than others?
What does God desire from you in place of your fretful reactions?
3. Why do most of us think that justice should be meted out quickly?

Why do we prescribe a timetable to God as to when He will avenge
us? Do you find yourself discontented when you are falsely
accused or misunderstood? What does God expect of us when
these things happen to us?
4. How flexible are you? Do you easily flow when things change 10
percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent? Do you resist change because
of the destabilizing effect it has on what you have built thus far?
Do you find people who challenge your status quo irritating? How
are we to receive change? What is God’s expectation for us when
change occurs?
5. Why is being comfortable in ministry wrong? Why does it show that

we don’t want to grow? What does the desire to remain comfortable
reveal about our hearts? How can we desire to be uncomfortable?
119
M E D I TAT I O N
“…a lot of problems come [because] we are
not patient.We are not willing to endure hardships,
and we always are looking for an opportunity
to be personally exalted and promoted.The Bible says
to wait on our ministering. God wants to develop His
character in you first before He exalts your ministry.
However, we usually like promotion first and character later.”
Have you “waited on your ministering”?

What has transpired in your life before God
opened up ministry to you? Think about the
lessons in character development He has given you.
120
D AY 30
Keys to Commitment—
Loyalty and Faithfulness
M OREOVER IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS,

THAT A MAN
BE FOUND FAITHFUL
121
T
he first key to commitment is a loyalty and faithfulness
that goes beyond all personal feelings. The dictionary
defines loyalty as being “faithful to a prince or a superior,
true to a plighted (vowed or sworn to) faith, duty, or love.” Faith-
fulness is defined as “firmly adhering to duty, loyal, true to one’s
allegiance,” or as being “a faithful subject.”
Those definitions show the heart of an armorbearer. …He is
dependable and…can be trusted with difficult assignments.
Loyalty and faithfulness, of course, are first to God and then to
man.…
Loyalty always is tested first where God is concerned. If you
do not like something a superior asks you to do, you may think it
is between you and him. But it is really between you and God….
Make changes in your attitude and in your obedience to God,
and then doing what you are asked to do will not bother you.…
Take a look at four characteristics of a faithful man:
1. A faithful man knows how to keep his mouth shut.
(Prov. 11:13.)
2. A faithful man ministers strength to his pastor and
church. (Prov. 13:17.)
3. A faithful man always will speak the truth. (Prov. 14:5.)
4. A faithful man is a humble man. (Prov. 20:6.)
122
QUESTIONS
1. How loyal are you to those who lead you? Do you find it easy or
difficult to be loyal to them? Are there particular situations or cir-
cumstances that can make it more difficult? Do your leaders tell
you they appreciate your loyalty? Do others readily see you as loyal
to your pastor and church leaders?
2. Why is loyalty a “duty”? Does this mean it is not optional? How is

loyalty built within us? What character tests help prove we are loyal?
What fruit of the spirit are shown when we demonstrate loyalty?
3. How faithful are you to your leadership? Do you find faithfulness

easy in the tasks that you like and more difficult in the tasks that
are not as pleasing? Does faithfulness mean that you must com-
plete tasks until they are done? Does it mean that you will work
beyond what others might work, in order to faithfully serve your
leader?
4. What does the word allegiance mean to you? How is being faithful
a demonstration of allegiance? When we pledge our allegiance to
another individual, what does this mean? What tests have you gone
through to prove your allegiance?
5. Look at the four characteristics of a faithful man listed. Rate your-

self according to each one. Pick the one that is most difficult for
you, and ask someone to hold yoqu accountable to grow in this
area over the next month. In your journal, note the times that test
this characteristic and how you pass or fail the test. Pray diligently
for victory.
123
M E D I TAT I O N
“No one works in or is a member of a perfect church.
Nor are pastors perfect. It is hard to be faithful
at times while working with imperfect people. On
the other hand, if you examine your own life, you
may find you are not as perfected as you think.
But Jesus died on the cross for imperfect people,
so we could all have divine life with Him.
We are to give ourselves in the same way to bring
people into the perfect Kingdom, which is God’s.”
Is it easy for you to name the faults in the leaders

of your local church? Do you find that you have many
of the same faults you see in them? What kind of grace
and mercy are you to bestow on those who lead you?
124
D AY 31
Keys to Commitment—Do
Not Be Too Big or Too Small
F OR I SAY, THROUGH THE GRACE GIVEN UNTO

ME, TO EVERY MAN THAT IS AMONG YOU,
NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN
HE OUGHT TO THINK; BUT TO THINK SOBERLY,
ACCORDING AS GOD HATH DEALT TO EVERY
MAN THE MEASURE OF FAITH (ROMANS 12:3).
125
A nother key to commitment is: Don’t ever be too big to do

the small, but don’t ever be too small to do the big.…
…It is always God’s plan to exalt you, but you will find you
will have to expand. [You may never have thought of doing
something or even desire to do it], but God has a plan. Some-
times we can miss God because we see more responsibility, and
we are afraid we cannot handle it.
Now, on the other hand, we cannot get to the place that we
are too big to do the small. There is an attitude in some leaders
because of who they are that excuses them to do whatever they
want and say whatever they want. But the Bible is clear that they
have a judge also.
There is a law that works for masters and servants alike—
you reap what you sow. (Gal. 6:7.) Get lifted up by pride, and you
are destined to fall. (Prov. 16:18.) If you are unteachable, you
open the door to deception. …Once we begin to think we are
better than others, problems begin. Determine to keep a humble
heart and think soberly about yourself, and God will exalt you.
126
QUESTIONS
1. Do you know people who are afraid of success? Have you ever felt
intimidated by an assignment a leader gave you? Do you believe
that God can grace you for whatever task He desires? Imagine a
task that would seem so big it would be unlikely that God would
ask you to do it. Now imagine that your leader asks you to do that
very task tomorrow. Do you have the faith to believe that God
would make up for whatever lack of experience, education, or nat-
ural gift you possess?
2. Have you ever missed God and His will because of fear of not
being able to handle a responsibility He has asked us to do? What
makes people choose fear over faith? What kind of “God-image”
do we need of ourselves to be able to do greater works that even
Jesus did?
3. Have you seen leaders refuse to do small things? What are their
excuses for not performing the tasks? Have you been acquainted
with leaders who delegate things they do not want to do, instead of
those things that God has truly selected to delegate? How can we
avoid this pitfall?
4. Do others see you as someone who will do anything and every-

thing for the vision of your leader? When you delegate to others,
do they see you as someone who works alongside them instead of
one who lords over them? Is your reputation one where people are
glad to do the tasks you assign because they know you understand
what it takes to do those tasks? In other words, have you done
them yourself and appreciate the effort, time, and energy required?
5. How does a heart remain humble even when more authority is given
to the person? How can we avoid the pitfalls of pride? How can we
keep from being deceived with the notion of how good we are?
127
M E D I TAT I O N
“Another key to commitment is committing
to the ministry as you are committed to your
marriage. …you should approach the work
for the Lord with the same fervency [as you have in
your marriage]. …It will require a total commitment to
be faithful and do what you are called to do.The strongest
key to having a successful marriage is communication.”
If you are married, take time to recommit

to your spouse. Determine any weak areas
in communication you may have and schedule
a time with your spouse to discuss how you
can improve your side of the communication issues.
128
D AY 32
Keys to Commitment—
Always Do Your Best
A ND WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO IT HEARTILY,

AS TO THE LORD, AND NOT UNTO MEN;
KNOWING THAT OF THE LORD YE SHALL RECEIVE
THE REWARD OF THE INHERITANCE: FOR YE
SERVE THE LORD CHRIST (COLOSSIANS 3:23-24).
129
D
oing your best is another key to commitment. A pastor is
always concerned about whether his staff and his con-
gregation feel about the church the way he does. The
way you can minister peace to him, as an armorbearer, is to
always do your best.…
[Be sure to] stay with something until the job gets done.
…If you are working in any department in a church, and you are
given a job to do—just do it! Then, make sure it is completely
finished. Many times we want to start a new project before the
last one is finished.…
[Also,] never quit or give up. …You will have many oppor-
tunities to quit. They present themselves often. It takes no effort
to quit; that is the easy way out. …
If you are truly committed to the church and pastor where
God has sent you, then you will not quit when you face hard
times. The reality is that you will face challenges in the growth of
your church that will test your commitment, whether you are a
member or a pastor.…
God is preparing you for leadership. The key is to stay com-
mitted to God, your call, and the leaders set over you.…
…The only way to succeed is never to quit.
130
QUESTIONS
1. For many people, doing their best is risky, because they think other
people will expect it all the time. Why is this stance unbiblical?
How does it serve self and not God? How easy is it for you to give
your best in all things?
2. When people look at the tasks you perform, do they realize that
you are giving your best? Do you have a reputation for excellence?
Talk to some people who are watching you doing your work, and
ask for their opinions so that you can discover if you are emanating
the spirit of an armorbearer.
3. We are to finish the tasks that we are assigned. Have you ever been
tempted to put something aside and start a new project? How can
we overcome such temptations and stick to the priorities that have
been given to us by our leaders?
4. What tasks have you ever been involved with that made you want
to give up or quit? Why did you feel this way? What kind of effort
did you have to give to remain on the task and not quit? How can
you help others around you keep going when they are discouraged
and are looking for a way out of their ministry assignments?
5. What tests of commitment do most people experience in the

church where you serve? Do you see patterns of character develop-
ing, due to the style of leadership or the vision the church has?
What scriptural encouragement can you find that will help other
armorbearers remain committed?
131
M E D I TAT I O N
“You will have the privilege of dealing with pride,
anger, bitterness, selfishness, and all the destructive
things that are in human behavior. But, once you
learn to deal with these, overcome them, and let God
begin a work in you, then you will become more like Him.”
As you have dealt with these destructive areas

of human behavior, how has God helped you handle
them? What has the Holy Spirit taught you so that
you became more like Christ through the experiences?
132
D AY 33
Keys to Attitude—
Willingness and Thankfulness
IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS: FOR THIS IS THE

WILL OF
YOU
GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING
(1 THESSALONIANS 5:18).
133
T
he first key to attitude is a willingness to do whatever you
are asked. This is what leaders look for in people who
desire to get involved. …You may not think you have the
talent or ability to do whatever is asked, but you will set yourself
to do it because you were asked.…
[People may refuse requests from leaders to help, saying],
“I’m sorry, but that is not my ‘grace’ gift.”
That may [be] so, but [the leader] was asking for help—not
a word from God. …[this] is the kind of attitude many people
have in local churches, and that is why they are never used.
…The greatest blessing…is when people come and say they are
joining [the local] church and want to know where they can help.
Those are the people who end up in leadership positions.…
[Another] key to having the right attitude is being thankful
for your position and retaining your joy. We should always be thank-
ful for the place in which God has put us. …You may want a
change in your life and position, but that will only come when
you learn to be thankful for where you are. We are not just to be
thankful in good times, but even during difficult times.…
…The victory begins in thanksgiving.
134
QUESTIONS
1. How important is attitude to someone’s employment at a business
or in the service industry? Do people tend to be attracted to peo-
ple with certain attitudes? What are some attractive attitudes?
What are ones that repel people? What kind of attitude do you
emulate?
2. How willing are you to do whatever is asked of you? How willing

are you to go “outside the box” of your gifts and serve no matter
what? Do you serve at these times grudgingly or heartily as unto
the Lord?
3. Have you recently asked your leaders what you can do for them
that may not be part of your usual set of tasks or expectations? Try
doing this and see what responses they may give to you. Then do
the tasks and expect God to shape your character into His likeness.
4. How thankful are you for your position of ministry? Do you daily
thank God for His provision for you so that your gifts and talents
have room to express themselves? Even if your position is not the
“ideal” one you dream about, how can you maintain thankfulness?
5. How do we “retain joy”? What does it take to create a foundation

of joy in our lives? How do you maintain joy when times are diffi-
cult? Do you see a victory ahead as you are thankful and express
your gratefulness to the Lord even when things are difficult?
135
M E D I TAT I O N
“[Another] key to the right attitude is never lose
sight of the people behind the work. …You must
not let what you do in the church turn into just another
job. …If you get upset at all the work you have to do,
then you need to judge your heart’s attitude. …All of that
work is changing people’s eternal destiny, so it is worth it.”
Lethargy, apathy, and slothfulness are sins

that show what kind of attitude? How can you keep
zealous to do the work of the ministry over the long
haul and not succumb to these sins? Can you see people’s
faces as you perform the work of your ministry? Ask God
to give you His heart toward these people on a daily basis.
136
D AY 34
Keys to Attitude—
A Servant’s Heart
B UT YE SHALL NOT BE SO: BUT HE THAT IS

GREATEST AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE AS THE
YOUNGER; AND HE THAT IS CHIEF, AS HE THAT
DOTH SERVE (LUKE 22:26).
137
A
nother key to having a good attitude is having a servant’s
heart. Jesus told the disciples that, in the Kingdom of
God, those who are “chief” are those who serve. He told
them that He was among them as One who served. (Luke 22:25-
27.) Jesus had a true servant’s heart. Christians will never gradu-
ate from being servants.
…Elisha…began his ministry by acting as a servant for Eli-
jah for a number of years. …
As you learn to serve, the anointing of God will increase on
your life to help others. David became king and had a great
anointing, but he first experienced God while tending sheep. He
was willing to give his life to protect his father’s sheep.
He watched that flock with a servant’s heart and a watchful
eye. …Because he passed the test of serving with the sheep, he
was able to pass the test of Goliath when it came.
Now, what is your flock? Is it watching a group of toddlers
every Sunday morning? Is it directing a choir, youth group, or
children’s church? Are you involved in housecleaning, door
greeting, or ushering?
Your flock, or area of responsibility, is your “proving
ground.” If you function well as a servant, you will be promoted.
138
QUESTIONS
1. Do you know people who have a servant’s heart? What do they do
that makes you know this is the kind of attitude they possess? Do
people look at you and see someone who has a servant’s heart?
How do you demonstrate this attitude?
2. Because Jesus came as One to serve, what areas of service do you

see Him perform that might have seemed “unexpected” by the dis-
ciples? In what ways did He serve that did not seem “appropriate”
for the Son of God or even a great rabbi to do?
3. How does service increase anointing? Have you seen this principle
work in your own life? Compare your experiences with Elisha or
David. How have you learned through service?
4. Who is in your flock? How well do you serve them, or do you

expect them to serve you as their leader or shepherd? Do they see
you out-serving them in practical ways? What can you do to serve
them to a greater degree?
5. What does God “prove” through our service? How does care of
our flock allow Him to check our hearts and attitudes? Why does
this put us in line for promotion? Have you been promoted after
you served?
139
M E D I TAT I O N
“[Another attitude of an armorbearer] is to serve
as if you were serving Jesus. From the Word
of God, you can see clearly that…we are to work
as if we are working for Jesus. If you will get
your eyes off your boss and strive to please God
first, then you will please your boss.We must
learn to see Jesus as our Eternal Employer.”
Check your heart to see if your emotions about

your ministry position are toward Jesus and His
pleasure and not your leader’s compliments. Check
your mind to see if you think more about how Jesus
wants things done, rather than thinking about man’s
desires. Pray for an attitude that will bring God His due.
140
D AY 35
Keys to Attitude—
Understanding Authority
S ERVANTS, OBEY IN ALL THINGS YOUR MASTERS

ACCORDING TO THE FLESH; NOT WITH EYE-
SERVICE, AS MENPLEASERS; BUT IN SINGLENESS
OF HEART, FEARING GOD (COLOSSIANS 3:22).
141
W
hen you volunteer and are asked to do something, you
need to remember that it is as if Jesus Himself asked
you….
This leads us to the attitude of submitting to God’s delegated
authority in our lives. Romans 13:1-2 says that authority is
ordained of God and whoever resists authority is resisting God.
God established all authority in chains of command under
Him. …Heaven is run under a principle of authority: God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, then the
archangels, cherubs and seraphims, who are submitted to author-
ity over them.
…
All offices of authority are set up by God, and the authority
rests on the office, not the man. We are to submit ourselves to the
office, whether or not we like the man in the office. If he misuses
his office, we can pray for him to change or pray him out.…
…The only right we have not to submit to authority is when
that authority directly violates the Word of God…because we
have a higher authority.
But, let’s be real honest, that is not usually the case. Rebel-
lion usually starts when you have to submit to the rules in your
church nursery. That is where it begins.
142
QUESTIONS
1. Looking at the authority structure God has set up on earth, how
well do you receive His structure in government? How about on
your job? In your church? Within your family? Where is it most
difficult for you to submit right now? What do you need to over-
come the challenge to submit to that authority?
2. Reflect on Jesus’ respect for authority. How did He show it with

the leaders in His day? How did He show it to the Roman govern-
ment? When did He supersede their authority? What can we learn
from His example?
3. How does submitting yourself to the office, not the man, work?
What measure of freedom does this give you? How does this con-
cept hold you accountable for truly submitting to those you do not
agree with or perhaps even to those you don’t hold in high regard?
4. Have you ever prayed for a leader and watched him or her change?
Have you ever prayed someone out of an office because he was not
benefiting the Kingdom of God by holding that position of
authority? Why are we allowed to pray such prayers? Are we being
selfish, or are we acting on God’s authority?
5. Think about those who work around you in the ministry. Have you
seen seeds of rebellion anywhere? Have you helped to sow those
seeds? We need to be careful to hold each other accountable not to
harbor rebellion in our hearts. Knowing the principle of submis-
sion, how can you help those around you resolve their issues?
143
M E D I TAT I O N
“Another type of authority which plays a major
part in many local churches is: That is the way
we do it around here. Wherever you go, you
will be faced with this “authority.” And it does
not matter whether you agree with the way things
are done or not, you must submit if you know God
wants you to be a part of that church or ministry.”
Have you experienced this type of “authority”?

How can we submit to this authority when we
disagree with it? What is key to our attitude?
144
D AY 36
Keys to Attitude—
Five Structures of Authority
F OR I AM A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY, HAVING

SOLDIERS UNDER ME: AND I SAY TO THIS
MAN, GO, AND HE GOETH; AND TO ANOTHER,
COME, AND HE COMETH; AND TO MY SERVANT,
DO THIS, AND HE DOETH IT (MATTHEW 8:9).
145
T here are five structures of authority that we all must sub-

mit to:
1. God and His Word (1 John 2:3-4). …We must…fully sub-
mit to the laws.
2. National and local government (1 Peter 2:13-14). [We]
must submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s
sake.
3. The church (1 Timothy 5:17-18). …The Bible says that
pastors are worthy of double honor.
4. The family (Ephesians 6:1).
5. Employers (1 Peter 2:18).
The centurion who told Jesus to just “speak the word” and
his servant would be healed understood authority. The centurion
was a man in authority. He also was a man under authority. Jesus
said He had not found anyone Israel with this kind of faith. Why
did that Roman centurion have such faith? He understood
authority. (Matt. 8:9.) He could tell that demons and disease
were subject to the authority of Jesus.
…Authority is here to stay. We will never graduate from
under authority. When we get to heaven, we will still submit to
authority. Those who climb God’s ladder into spiritual authority
and do exploits for Him are the ones who know how to submit
and flow with authority. God will never exalt you into a greater
place of authority until you learn how to submit to authority.

146
QUESTIONS
1. Look at the five structures of authority listed. For each one, look
up the Scripture reference. Ask the Lord to show you where you
need to improve in each area.
2. How well do you demonstrate your understanding of authority

within your family? Do you exercise control over yourself more
than over others within your family? Do you easily submit when
necessary? Do you show respect and honor for all persons within
your family circle? Why is this important if you are going to min-
ister in the church?
3. How well does your church show double honor to your pastor and
the top leadership? Try writing notes of encouragement to them
during the next week. Then try doing an act of service or kindness
the following week. Make their comfort a priority without invading
their territory in an uncomfortable manner.
4. How did the centurion show the connection between authority

and faith? Do you have this kind of understanding of Jesus’
authority? Do you see your faith increase as you recognize the
power and authority of the Lord?
5. What does it mean to “flow” with authority? Does this mean that
authority is not a stagnant, compliant act, but an eager act of faith
and obedience? How can we know the difference?
147
M E D I TAT I O N
“[On our jobs, you need to] stop complaining
and start praying.Then make sure you are on time
and do a good job.They will be ministered to by
your diligence. If you do this, God will more than
likely open a door for you to share Christ with them.”
Have you ever been employed by someone you

wish would leave or change? Have you ever prayed
and saw God work on your behalf? In the midst of
a “bad” situation, how does diligence speak clearly to
others? Ask the Lord to give you dogged determination
to be diligent on your job no matter what happens.
148
D AY 37
Keys to Attitude—Reproof
F OR THE COMMANDMENT IS A LAMP; AND THE

LAW IS LIGHT; AND REPROOFS OF INSTRUC-
TION ARE THE WAY OF LIFE (PROVERBS 6:23).
149
T
he last key to maintaining a good attitude is being big
enough to be rebuked and corrected. …We will be reproved
and corrected in life, because we are human and make
mistakes. If you want to mature, you must remain teachable.…
…if you are the one being rebuked, do not get your feelings
hurt. Be big enough to take it and go on without holding a
grudge and being defensive. It is very clear from the Word of
God that a wise man will listen to correction, and judge himself.
(Prov. 13:1.) A fool despises any instruction. (Prov. 12:15; 19:25.)
I must admit that I have met some fools in my life. They
will not take any correction. Their shortcomings and problems
were always someone else’s fault. They are always right. …
They will never fulfill God’s will, because they will not admit
mistakes.
We are told in the Bible to judge ourselves and make correc-
tions when we need to change. If you refuse to judge yourself,
you will face judgment on the sin in which you live.
…it is very important today to have people around us to
whom we are accountable, people who can speak into our lives.…
…There is no growth without some pruning.
150
QUESTIONS
1. Are rebuke and correction difficult for you to accept? Is it hard for
you to admit mistakes? How are we to approach those who could
help us see our blind spots and weaknesses? Do you have the
capacity to go to them before they have to come to you?
2. How is maturity dependent upon a teachable spirit? How can you

identify a teachable spirit in someone? What character traits do
you see? Do you have those same character traits?
3. When you have had your feelings hurt due to a rebuke or correc-
tion, what did you do to process through the hurt? What steps
should we take so we don’t carry a grudge or become defensive
with that person?
4. Read the Proverbs listed and jot down anything the Lord brings
forward into your spirit. Are you a wise man or woman? Are you
able to listen with unemotional ears to correction as it is being
offered?
5. How are we to judge ourselves in order to make corrections in our

lives? Do we need to do this on a daily basis? What do you do in
order to keep a sober estimation of yourself? What safeguards have
you put into place so that you will not fall into pride?
151
M E D I TAT I O N
“If you are one who is going to rebuke, then be
wise enough to instruct and teach. [Without
these, the] rebuke amounts to criticism and results
in nothing but wounds and strife. God never assigned
anyone to break a person’s spirit.We are alwaysto rebuke
with meekness and love and take the time to teach the
person how to do right and what they have done wrong.”
How well do you rebuke those in your

circle of influence? Take a sober account of this
before the Lord and ask forgiveness where necessary.
152
D AY 38
Keys to Teamwork—
Walking Without Offense
and Use Your Talents

A ND HIS LORD WAS WROTH, AND DELIVERED

HIM TO THE TORMENTORS, TILL
SHOULD PAY ALL THAT WAS DUE HIM. SO
HE
LIKE-
WISE SHALL MY HEAVENLY FATHER DO ALSO
UNTO YOU, IF YE FROM YOUR HEARTS FORGIVE
NOT EVERY ONE HIS BROTHER THEIR TRES-
PASSES (MATTHEW 18:34-35).
153
T
he first key [to teamwork] is walking without offense. The
main reason why people leave churches is because they
get offended. Instead of dealing with whatever was said
or done, they harbor bitterness from offenses in their hearts and
end up leaving their churches.…
All they have to do to be free and remain free of that trap
is to let go of hurts and wounds. God can heal and restore a
person immediately if he will forgive offenses and repent of
bitterness.…
Anyone can take offense, get hurt, and walk out, but it takes
a real man or woman of God to make it right. There is no bibli-
cal reason to hold a grudge or to live in resentment. And there is
every reason not to.…
The next key to teamwork is using all your talents and abili-
ties. The church must function like a team, and in order to do so,
the team needs your talents and abilities.…
Jesus gave us gifts from God. We have no choice in the
matter.…
…each of us is only accountable for his own gifts and call-
ings and not for someone else’s.
Matthew 25:19 tells us there will come a “reckoning day.”…
The Spirit of God is saying loud and clear that it is time for
us to release our gifts.
154
QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever been offended by someone in the Body of Christ?
When you get offended, what do you do about it? Do you quickly
deal with it and let go of any hurts and wounds you have? Or does
your mind play over and over the words or actions that brought
the hurt? How can God keep us free from these encumbrances?
2. Why are offenses so counterproductive to a team? How can we

maintain focus and solidarity of purpose when we are offended at
others within that same team? How does bitterness grow out of
these offenses and divide the team even further?
3. Do you know of someone on your team who is harboring offense

at another person? Would you be willing to encourage your team-
mate to release the offense and make things right in their heart?
Would you be willing to hold them accountable and pray through
the process of restoration with them?
4. If you were to create a list of all your talents and abilities, what
would it look like? Take time to write down things you have to
offer due to natural abilities, talents God has given, grace gifts,
experience, training, etc. Now look over your list and check those
things you are currently using in ministry. Pray over these and ask
the Lord to increase His grace on you for His glory. Then look at
those things you are not currently using and ask the Lord to bring
to your mind anything you should be using for His Kingdom at
this time in your life.
5. What does it mean that we are not held accountable for someone
else’s gifts and callings? Why would we think we might be respon-
sible for them? Do you feel burdened when people who serve in
ministry under your leadership are not using their talents and gifts?
155
M E D I TAT I O N
“I believe you have talents lying dormant just
waiting to be used. In the midst of being faithful
where you are placed, begin to draw on the abilities in
you.You have the Creator on the inside. Pray and trust
Him for His complete will to be fulfilled in your life.”
Do you believe, as the author does, that

you have talents that are lying dormant? Do
you know of some abilities and talents that
you are not using currently? Do you think
there may be more that you don’t even know
about? How will God bring these forth in you?
156
D AY 39
Keys to Teamwork—You
Are Important and Needed
F OR OUR COMELY PARTS HAVE NO NEED:

BUT GOD HATH TEMPERED
TOGETHER, HAVING GIVEN MORE
THE BODY
ABUNDANT
HONOUR TO THAT PART WHICH LACKED
157
G
od never created anything to be a [throw-away]. In the
world’s system, we place a great value on the things that
are one of a kind. These are the items that are priceless.
You must understand that God made you one of a kind, and you
are a priceless gift to the Church.
When you take a close look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-25, you
will see the importance of each part of the body. The Apostle
Paul made a comparison of the physical body to the Body of
Christ, and pointed out that the body has many members but all
work as a team.
This is how the Body of Christ and the local churches
should function. As you read those verses in which Paul points
out that the eye cannot do without the hand, and vice versa, we
can see that he is saying there should be no jealousy between
“parts” of the Body.…
…it was God who set the members in the Body as it pleased
Him. God made each of us unique and gave us qualities that no
others possess exactly as we do. Every Christian has something
valuable to God and to the Body.…
If you are going to fulfill your part in the Body, you must
stop looking at your inabilities and start using your abilities.
158
QUESTIONS
1. Have you been delivered from the mind-set that you are just an
accident or have no real purpose? Do you know people who think
they are “throw-aways,” even after they have received Jesus into
their hearts? What does the Church need to do to minister life and
a new mind-set to these people?
2. Do you recognize your uniqueness? What makes you unique to

God in the physical realm? In the emotional realm? In the mental
realm? In the spiritual realm? How does God want to use your
uniqueness in the Church? Why, then, are you priceless to the work
of your local church?
3. If you were to describe your ministry and function in the Body of

Christ, according to Paul’s analogy of the physical body, what body
part would you be? Why? What honor do you receive because of
the part of the Body you are? Are you a hidden part or a visible
part?
4. Knowing your uniqueness and what part of the Body you are, what
kind of team members do you need to directly surround yourself
with, so you can function properly? Do any of these people (parts
of the Body) currently team with you? Are you missing anything?
How might you find any missing parts?
5. How can we stay focused on our abilities and not our inabilities?
Won’t this lead to pride? How does the fact that God has placed
these gifts within us give us room to boast only of Him?
159
M E D I TAT I O N
“Paul pointed out that even the uncomely,
or unseen, parts of the body are as important
as the others.There is nothing beautiful about
a liver, for example. But you must realize that
you cannot live without one. I believe the
inward, or uncomely, parts of the body represent
the ministry of helps.They are always in the background
working, but you do not see them that much.”
What ministries of a local church represent

the ministry of helps? Do you think these
ministries receive much appreciation because
they are hidden? Pray about what you might
do this week to honor those parts and to show
them how important you believe they are.
160
D AY 40
Keys to Teamwork—
Run With the Vision
A ND THE MULTITUDE OF THEM THAT

BELIEVED WERE OF ONE HEART AND OF
ONE SOUL: NEITHER SAID ANY OF THEM THAT
OUGHT OF THE THINGS WHICH HE POSSESSED WAS
HIS OWN; BUT THEY HAD ALL THINGS COMMON
(ACTS 4:32).
161
I
n Acts 4, we are told of the disciples being threatened for
praying in Jesus’ name. They got together with the brethren
and began to pray, and when they had prayed, the house
where they were was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and spoke God’s Word with boldness.
Acts 4:32 makes a very important point. The “multitude of
them that believed” were all of one heart and one soul. …they were
in agreement. That is the key to seeing a great shaking of the
Holy Spirit in our churches and cities. We are all of one heart
when we are born again, because we all belong to Jesus. But are
we all “one soul”?
A corporate anointing came on them, because they were in
unity. They all had the same vision: to take the Gospel to the
world no matter the personal cost.They were determined to flow
together, recognize the authority of the apostles, and follow what
Jesus was saying through them.…
What is the vision of your local church? What is God saying
through your pastor? Take hold of that vision and begin to run
with your pastor, heart and soul.…
…We will stand victorious together because where one will
put a thousand to flight, two will put ten thousand to flight.
162
QUESTIONS
1. Do you find it interesting that the disciples chose not to fear but
obey God in the midst of their persecution and that the choice to
obey put them in the position to receive boldness? Has God
worked in opposites in your life as He did with the early disciples?
Have you chosen to obey Him when it might have been easy to fall
into temptation and then He gave you strength exactly opposite of
that temptation? How does God strengthen us in this manner to
do great exploits for Him?
2. Do you see your current team in ministry as of one heart and soul?
Are you in agreement? Do you find this difficult or easy in the
Body of Christ? How do we develop people who are of one heart
with us? How can we become of one heart with our leader?
3. How does unity bring a corporate anointing on a group of people?

Do we become unified because we bond in fellowship, or does God
bond us to His vision? How does this bonding take place?
4. What is the vision of your local church? What things are on the
pastor’s heart to do? How much do you pray for these things in
your devotional times and with the others in your team of min-
istry? How much is the vision in front of you and your teammates
from week to week?
5. Does your team have the tenacity to see the church vision happen,
no matter what the personal cost to them? Are they determined to
flow together? Do they recognize the authority of the leadership?
Do they follow what God says through the pastor?
163
M E D I TAT I O N
“The last and final key to teamwork is to rest
in God, and let Him lead you into the perfect
plan for your life. …We should not lean on our
own understanding. (Prov. 3:5,6.) God is the one who
directs our paths. …Many are called but few are chosen.
Stepping into that place of the chosen of God comes by
prayer, faith, integrity, diligence, and excellence of ministry.”
(God’s Armorbearer,Volume 2, Pages 69, 72)
Think back over the course of your ministry…

is it easy or difficult for you to rest in God
and trust Him? How well do you let God
direct your path? How will this allow you to step
into His perfect will and become a great armorbearer?
164
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173
NOTES
174
Additional copies of this book and other
book titles from DESTINY IMAGE are
available at your local bookstore.
For a complete list of our titles,

visit us at www.destinyimage.com
Send a request for a catalog to:
Destiny Image® Publishers, Inc.

P.O. Box 310
Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310
“Speaking to the Purposes of God for This

Generation and for the Generations to Come”

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A 40-Day Personal Journey

FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP USE

Day 1 Revelation of an Armorbearer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

A ND DAVID CAME TO SAUL, AND STOOD

2. Why do you think so many in the Church expect the leaders to

5. As you study Jesus’ example of discipleship training, where do pas-

Submission is a word that can bring feelings

Developing the Spirit

G REATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS,

T he word armorbearer [appears] eighteen times in…the

2. Looking at the first Hebrew word translated armorbearer, nasa,

3. Do the same for the second Hebrew word translated armorbearer,

4. When can assisting a leader be difficult to do? Does this have to do

5. How do leaders need protected against enemies? How do we know

Think back to times of ministry when rebellion

L ET EVERY SOUL BE SUBJECT UNTO THE

2. How easy is it for you to display and produce an attitude of faith

3. Is it easy for you to develop a sense of respect for leaders when

5. How do people “walk in agreement” with one another? What does

Do you agree with this, not just in principle,

F OR WHAT GLORY IS IT, IF, WHEN YE BE BUF-

2. “Endless strength” sounds impossible. How does anyone gain this

3. Do you always have forward motion in your ministry? Do you

4. What can make following orders immediately difficult for us? Do

Have you felt unappreciated in the area of ministry

F OR THERE IS NOTHING HID, WHICH SHALL

3. What kind of a disposition easily gains victories for leaders? How

4. How does gentleness play a part in winning victories? What have

5. How well do you represent your leader to others in the ministry

Using five cards or memo papers, write the

L ET US GO UP AT ONCE, AND POSSESS IT; FOR

2. Do you rally in the face of danger? Do you cower during diffi-

Think about how courage and faith are bound together.

L IKEWISE, YE YOUNGER, SUBMIT YOURSELVES

2. What is a “hired hand” mentality versus one that represents the

4. The requirement of love toward a leader is measured by the stan-

Consider what the words “dedication” and “devotion”

D RAW THY SWORD, AND THRUST ME

A good example of the loyalty of an armorbearer is found in

2. Considering Saul’s armorbearer, would you be able to stay by your

3. Knowing others have died in battle alongside your leader, would

4. Saul’s armorbearer saw hope in the midst of a situation where his

5. As you look at the responses of the armorbearers, think about the

Do you feel pressure when asked to make

Two Different Armorbearers

D O ALL THAT IS IN YOUR HEART.

I n 1 Samuel 14:1-23 [we see the] relationship between

4. Look at the list of six traits David possessed as Saul’s armorbearer.

5. Just as David learned lessons while he was armorbearer that

Consider the harsh treatment Saul gave to David. Has your

The Ministry of Armorbearing

H UMBLE YOURSELVES THEREFORE UNDER

2. Do you think it is difficult to keep the attitude of heart that being

3. What are some ways devotion toward someone is demonstrated?

4. How do we “prove ourselves faithful”? Who determines that we

5. Where has God “planted” you? If He has planted you, will He

Where do your ambitions lie? If you are an

2. What do you think would characterize the relationship between an